Hospital-acquired

Hospital-acquired infection (also known as nosocomial infection) is an infection that is contracted from the environment or staff of a healthcare facility. It can be spread in the hospital environment, nursing home environment, rehabilitation facility, clinic, or other clinical settings. Infection can be spread to the susceptible patient in the clinical setting by various means.

Causes

Hospital-acquired infections are caused by viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens; the most common types are bloodstream infection (BSI), pneumonia (e.g., ventilator-associated pneumonia [VAP]), urinary tract infection (UTI), and surgical site infection (SSI).

Prevention

Prevention of hospital-acquired infections involves strict hygiene practices, including hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection of equipment and environment, and use of personal protective equipment.

Treatment

Treatment of hospital-acquired infections depends on the causative agent and resistance pattern, and may involve antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, or other medications.

See also

• Infection control
• Healthcare-associated infections
• Antibiotic resistance
• Patient safety

References

Hospital-acquired Resources
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