A hospital-acquired infection (HAI), also known as a healthcare-associated infection, refers to an infection acquired by a patient during their stay in a healthcare facility such as a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility. These infections are not present or incubating at the time of admission but are acquired as a result of healthcare interventions.
HAIs can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Common sources of these infections include contaminated medical equipment, inadequately sterilized instruments, healthcare personnel, environmental surfaces, and even the patients themselves. HAIs can affect any part of the body and can range in severity from mild to life-threatening.
The risk factors for developing a hospital-acquired infection can vary, including the patient's age, existing health conditions, length of hospital stay, invasive procedures, use of certain medical devices (e.g., catheters, ventilators), and exposure to other patients, especially those with infectious diseases.
Preventing hospital-acquired infections is a crucial focus for healthcare facilities to ensure patient safety. Measures to reduce the risk of HAIs include effective hand hygiene practices, proper sterilization and disinfection protocols, appropriate use of antibiotics, maintaining a clean environment, and implementing infection control measures such as isolation and screening protocols.
Timely identification, prompt treatment, and appropriate management of HAIs are paramount to minimize complications and help patients recover quickly. Healthcare professionals play a key role in surveillance, prevention, and control of HAIs through their adherence to infection control practices and ongoing education regarding best practices for infection prevention and control.
