What Are Hospital-Acquired Infections And How Are They Prevented?
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), also known as nosocomial infections, are infections that patients acquire during their stay in a healthcare facility. Some of the most common types of HAIs include:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): These infections involve the urinary system, including the bladder and urethra. They often result from the use of urinary catheters.
Surgical site infections (SSIs): SSIs occur at the site of a surgical incision. They can affect superficial tissues or deeper tissues and organs. SSIs are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among surgical patients.
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs): CLABSIs are infections that occur when bacteria or other pathogens enter the bloodstream through a central venous catheter. These infections can lead to serious complications, including sepsis.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP): VAP is a type of pneumonia that develops in patients who are on mechanical ventilation. It is caused by bacteria or other pathogens colonizing the respiratory tract and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients.
Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI): CDI, formerly known as Clostridium difficile infections, are caused by the bacterium Clostridioides difficile. These infections often occur after the use of antibiotics disrupts the normal balance of bacteria in the gut, allowing C. difficile to proliferate and cause symptoms such as diarrhea and colitis.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections: MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics commonly used to treat Staphylococcus aureus infections. MRSA can cause a range of infections, including skin and soft tissue infections, pneumonia, and bloodstream infections.
Preventing HAIs requires comprehensive infection control measures, including hand hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment, appropriate use of antimicrobials, adherence to aseptic techniques during procedures, and environmental cleaning and disinfection. These measures are essential for protecting patients and reducing the spread of infections within healthcare settings.
