We investigated 397 episodes of bacterial stream infection that occurred from 1992 to 1995 and the factors influencing prognosis. Blood was the most common source for bacteremia followed by urine. Staphylococcus had the highest incidence rate, followed by Polymicrobial and Escherchia coli, respectively. Candida was found to be the most lethal species of bacteremia, followed by Pseudomonas and Enterococcus. The fatality rate for nosocomial infections was 32.4% and 25.0% for community-acquired infections. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate factors most likely to affect the fatality rate: Age, underlying disease, shock, and antibiotic therapy were significant risk factors. We, therefore, suggest that extra care must be taken when patients exhibit these risk factors and hospitals must strive to eliminate all sources of causative organisms that can lead to nosocomial infections.