Hospital-acquired infections, also known as healthcare-associated infections, are infections that are acquired in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, ambulatory surgical centers, end-stage renal disease facilities, or long-term care facilities.1 These infections are caused by viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens and can get into…
Hospital-acquired infections, also known as healthcare-associated infections, are infections that are acquired in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, ambulatory surgical centers, end-stage renal disease facilities, or long-term care facilities.1 These infections are caused by viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens and can get into the bloodstream, lungs, skin, urinary tract, or digestive tract. The most common types of hospital-acquired infections are bloodstream infection (BSI), pneumonia (eg, ventilator-associated pneumonia [VAP], hospital-acquired pneumonia], and surgical site infection (SSI). Infections that become clinically evident after 48 hours of hospitalization are considered hospital-acquired, and infections that occur after the patient is discharged from the hospital can also be considered healthcare-associated if the organisms were acquired during the hospital stay.2 These infections are hard to treat and can stay with the patient for a long time, and in the worst cases, they can be deadly.
Hospital-acquired infections, also known as healthcare-associated infections, are infections that are acquired in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, ambulatory surgical centers, end-stage renal disease facilities, or long-term care facilities.1 These infections are caused by viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens and can get into the bloodstream, lungs, skin, urinary tract, or digestive tract. The most common types of hospital-acquired infections are bloodstream infection (BSI), pneumonia (eg, ventilator-associated pneumonia [VAP], hospital-acquired pneumonia], and surgical site infection (SSI). Infections that become clinically evident after 48 hours of hospitalization are considered hospital-acquired, and infections that occur after the patient is discharged from the hospital can also be considered healthcare-associated if the organisms were acquired during the hospital stay.2 These infections are hard to treat and can stay with the patient for a long time, and in the worst cases, they can be deadly.