Bacteremia: The Significance of outside versus inside Hospital Origin

Abstract

168 patients with bacteremia seen in 1965–1969 were studied with regard to mortality rate, age and sex distribution, sources of infection, predisposing factors and infecting organisms. Special attention was drawn to outside hospital originating bacteremia vis-á-vis hospital-acquired bacteremia. In general, the results obtained were essentially in agreement with earlier experiences elsewhere. The most striking observations were, firstly, the grave prognosis associated with hospital-acquired bacteremia and, secondly, the dominant role played by gram-negative bacilli.