Prevention Of Hospital-Acquired Infections

Prevention Of Hospital-Acquired Infections

Describe the nosocomial infection.

Answer. It is an infection acquired due to hospital stay.

Sources

“Factors influencing success with hospital-acquired infection prevention knowledge: Q&A”

• Contaminated infected wounds.
• Urinary tract infections.
• Respiratory tract infections.
• Opportunistic infections.
• Abdominal wounds with severe sepsis.
• Spread can occur from one patient to another, through
  nurses or hospital staf who fail to practice strict asepsis.

“Understanding prevention of hospital-acquired infections through FAQs: Key strategies explained”

It is more common in:

• Diabetics
• Immunosuppressed individuals
• Patients on steroid therapy and life-supporting machines
• Instrumentations (including catheter, IV cannulas,tracheostomy tube)
• Patients with artifiial prosthesis

Organisms

“Steps to explain hospital-acquired infection prevention: Causes vs strategies vs outcomes: Q&A guide”

• Staphylococcus aureus is the most common organism causing hospital-acquired wound infection. Others are Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, E. coli, Proteus.
• Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus, Herpes, Varicella,Aspergillus, Pneumocystis carinii are the most common pathogens involved in hospital-acquired respiratory tract infection which spreads through droplets.
• Klebsiella is the most common pathogen involved in hospital acquired UTI which is highly resistant to drugs.

“Importance of studying hospital-acquired infection prevention for healthcare professionals: Questions explained”

Management

Most of the time, organisms involved are multidrug-resistant, virulent, and hence, cause severe sepsis.

• Antibiotics.
• Isolation.
• Blood, urine, pus for culture and sensitivity to isolate the organisms.
• Blood transfusion, plasma or albumin therapy.
• Ventilator support.
• Maintaining optimum urine output.
• Nutritional support.

“Common challenges in preventing hospital-acquired infections effectively: FAQs provided”

Prevention

• Isolation of patients with badly infected open wounds.
• Severe RTI/UTI.
• Following strict aseptic measures in OT and in ward by hospital attndants.
• Proper cleaning and use of disinfectant lotions and sprays for bedpans, toilets and flor.
• The precipitating causes have to be treated, along with caring for proper nutrition and improving the anemic status
  by blood transfusion.