Septicemia in a Community Hospital 1970 through 1973

Abstract

Septicemia developed in 34 patients/10,000 admissions to a community hospital [Madison, Wisconsin, USA] during 1970-1973. Of the 207 patients, 2/3 had community-acquired septicemia and 1/3 had nosocomial septicemia. Septicemia-related mortality was 20.3%. Mortality and incidence of septicemia was substantially higher in patients with ultimately fatal and rapidly fatal underlying diseases. Septicemia was associated with shock in 9.7% of the patients. Foley catheterization and prophylactic antibiotic therapy could not be implicated as a major risk factors for the development of septicemia. This study shows an incidence of gram-negative bacteremia, septic shock and mortality substantially less than that described in published data from noncommunity hospitals.