PREVALÊNCIA DOS MICRORGANISMOS ISOLADOS EM PACIENTES DE UNIDADES DE TERAPIA INTENSIVA ESPECIALIZADA EM COVID 19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to Intensive Care Units (ICUs), including an increase in coinfections and antimicrobial resistance. The high complexity of severe cases, combined with the extensive use of invasive devices and antimicrobials, underscored the need to investigate the prevalent microorganisms in these settings. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of microorganisms in ICUs specialized in COVID-19 treatment, including antimicrobial resistance profiles and the clinical impacts on patient outcomes. An observational, retrospective, and descriptive study with a quantitative approach was conducted, involving the analysis of medical records from patients admitted to ICUs in one reference hospitals between 2020 and 2021. Clinical, microbiological, and demographic data were collected and analyzed. Among the 75 patients analyzed, 71% presented secondary infections, with the main agents being Klebsiella pneumoniae (43%), Acinetobacter sp. (27%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16%). Antimicrobial resistance was high, with 72% resistance to carbapenems in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Mortality reached 48%, with higher prevalence among patients with coinfections. The average length of hospital stay was 23.4 days, associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation. The findings emphasize the need for stringent infection control protocols and rational antimicrobial use. The impact of antimicrobial resistance on outcomes and high mortality highlights the urgency of strategies to mitigate associated complications. Early screening measures and personalized management are recommended to improve clinical outcomes.