Healthcare-associated infections
Healthcare-associated infections (pronunciation: health-care-uh-soh-see-ay-ted in-fek-shuhns) are infections that patients acquire during their stay in a hospital or other healthcare facility, which were not present or incubating at the time of admission. These infections can be caused by a wide variety of common and unusual bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Etymology
The term "Healthcare-associated infections" is derived from the context in which the infections occur. "Healthcare-associated" refers to the healthcare setting, while "infections" refers to the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissues.
Types of Healthcare-associated infections
Healthcare-associated infections can occur in different parts of the body. The most common types include:
- Surgical site infections - These are infections that occur after surgery in the part of the body where the surgery took place.
- Urinary tract infections - These are often caused by catheters, or tubes, placed in the bladder.
- Bloodstream infections - These often happen when bacteria enter the body through a central line, a tube that doctors often place in a large vein to give medications or collect blood.
- Pneumonia - This can be caused by ventilators, machines that help patients breathe.
Prevention
Prevention of healthcare-associated infections involves a range of measures including:
- Hand hygiene - This is the most important measure to avoid the transmission of harmful germs and prevent healthcare-associated infections.
- Infection prevention and control practices - These are specific procedures and actions that aim to prevent the spread of infection, particularly in healthcare settings.
See also
References
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