Hospital-Acquired Infections
Ashley Bell, Ashley Jones, Penny Ruiz, Robin Pasco, Tameka White
Introduction to Hospital-Acquired Infections:
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), also known as healthcare-acquired or nosocomial infections are infections acquired or obtained when receiving treatment or visiting a medical facility of any kind. Hospitals, clinics, and care homes host a vast variety of bacterium, viruses, and fungi. These pathogens can survive on almost any surface such as tables, chairs, beds, and especially clothes. When healthcare workers, patients, and visitors have exposure to contaminate surfaces (i.e. touching a doorknob), they will carry the pathogen on their person, almost certainly spreading the pathogen to another surface or individual. Of all those who spend any amount of time within a healthcare facility, patients are the most susceptible to infections diseases due to their compromised immune systems. …show more content…
Because they are in close proximity to other sick patients (often times with more severe illnesses) this leads to over 2 million healthcare-associated infections each year. 5% to 10% of patients are affected by this with an average of 8.7% patients. According to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HAIs cause approximately 90,000 deaths each year.
Why this is a Public Issue
This is a public issue. Every person will at some point in their lives be treated or spend any length of time within a healthcare facility, thus increasing their risks of contracting an illness completely irrelevant to their initial condition. Sick persons are, once again, more prone to having their conditions exacerbated by contracting another illness in addition to their current states. One major issue that needs further examination is that over 70% of these infectious pathogens (bacterium) are resistant to at least one or more drugs used for treatments, such as penicillin.
Introduction to Most Common Infectious Diseases Many infectious diseases are causes of concern, but the most common hospital-acquired infections are: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) - this condition is an infection of the urinary tract that occurs before or after placement of a urinary catheter. Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) – this condition is an infection of the bloodstream caused by a bacteria or a virus that occurs after placement of a central-line. Surgical Site Infections (SSI) – this condition is an infection of a surgical wound, regardless of the wound size or location on the body. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) – this condition is an infection of the lungs that occurs after a patient is placed on a ventilator for breathing assistance. Gastroenteritis- this condition is also known as the stomach flu and is caused by either a bacteria or a virus. Meningitis (bacterial) - this condition is an infection of the meninges that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is very deadly and highly contagious. While these pathogens can put all at risk, these situations increase risks: Advance age Premature birth Persons with diabetes or COPD Persons with compromised immune systems Antimicrobial agents Antibiotics Surgeries Invasive devices In Addition: The best ways to protect oneself from contracting or spreading a healthcare-associated infection is to practice proper hand hygiene. Handwashing or sanitizing should always be at the forefront of one’s mind at all times. This includes before and after handling food, eating, before or after caring for a sick person, before touching any part of one’s face, after using
Ashley Bell, Ashley Jones, Penny Ruiz, Robin Pasco, Tameka White
Introduction to Hospital-Acquired Infections:
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), also known as healthcare-acquired or nosocomial infections are infections acquired or obtained when receiving treatment or visiting a medical facility of any kind. Hospitals, clinics, and care homes host a vast variety of bacterium, viruses, and fungi. These pathogens can survive on almost any surface such as tables, chairs, beds, and especially clothes. When healthcare workers, patients, and visitors have exposure to contaminate surfaces (i.e. touching a doorknob), they will carry the pathogen on their person, almost certainly spreading the pathogen to another surface or individual. Of all those who spend any amount of time within a healthcare facility, patients are the most susceptible to infections diseases due to their compromised immune systems. …show more content…
Because they are in close proximity to other sick patients (often times with more severe illnesses) this leads to over 2 million healthcare-associated infections each year. 5% to 10% of patients are affected by this with an average of 8.7% patients. According to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HAIs cause approximately 90,000 deaths each year.
Why this is a Public Issue
This is a public issue. Every person will at some point in their lives be treated or spend any length of time within a healthcare facility, thus increasing their risks of contracting an illness completely irrelevant to their initial condition. Sick persons are, once again, more prone to having their conditions exacerbated by contracting another illness in addition to their current states. One major issue that needs further examination is that over 70% of these infectious pathogens (bacterium) are resistant to at least one or more drugs used for treatments, such as penicillin.
Introduction to Most Common Infectious Diseases Many infectious diseases are causes of concern, but the most common hospital-acquired infections are: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) - this condition is an infection of the urinary tract that occurs before or after placement of a urinary catheter. Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) – this condition is an infection of the bloodstream caused by a bacteria or a virus that occurs after placement of a central-line. Surgical Site Infections (SSI) – this condition is an infection of a surgical wound, regardless of the wound size or location on the body. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) – this condition is an infection of the lungs that occurs after a patient is placed on a ventilator for breathing assistance. Gastroenteritis- this condition is also known as the stomach flu and is caused by either a bacteria or a virus. Meningitis (bacterial) - this condition is an infection of the meninges that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is very deadly and highly contagious. While these pathogens can put all at risk, these situations increase risks: Advance age Premature birth Persons with diabetes or COPD Persons with compromised immune systems Antimicrobial agents Antibiotics Surgeries Invasive devices In Addition: The best ways to protect oneself from contracting or spreading a healthcare-associated infection is to practice proper hand hygiene. Handwashing or sanitizing should always be at the forefront of one’s mind at all times. This includes before and after handling food, eating, before or after caring for a sick person, before touching any part of one’s face, after using