Besides wound infections we postoperatively are also facing the problems of other nosocomial infections, e.g. urinary tract infections, bronchopneumonia and sepsis caused by the use of intravenous devices. A preliminary survey was performed among 4008 patients in a multicentre study. After orthopaedic surgery we found the incidence of urinary tract infections to be 4.8%. Because of non satisfactory documentation the postoperatively acquired respiratory tract infections could not be evaluated properly. Sepsis due to the use of central or peripheral venous cannulas has been observed in 0.2%. Serious problems of nosocomial infections are discussed.

Zeitschrift für orthopädie und ihre grenzgebiete

Pneumonia - etiology; Cross Infection - etiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Orthopedics; Risk Factors; Urinary Tract Infections - etiology; Germany, West; Surgical Wound Infection - etiology; Catheters, Indwelling; Cross Infection - epidemiology; Index Medicus; Germany, West

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