"also known as a nosocomial infection"
Infections that are contracted in healthcare facilities, such as MRSA, C. difficile, and surgical site infections.
Definition and Types of Nosocomial Infections: Understanding the definition and different types of nosocomial infections is essential when learning about infectious diseases in hospitals. It includes the transmission of infection from patients to healthcare workers or from the environment to patients.
Common Nosocomial Infections: Identifying the most common types of nosocomial infections, such as surgical site infections, hospital-acquired pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and gastrointestinal infections, is critical in understanding their prevalence.
Risk Factors for Nosocomial Infections: Understanding the various factors that increase the risk of contracting nosocomial infections is essential to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases. Examples of these factors include compromised immune systems, prolonged surgical procedures, and exposure to contaminated equipment.
Modes of Transmission: Understanding the primary modes of transmission of nosocomial infections, such as direct contact, droplets, and indirect contact, is necessary in preventing further spread of infection.
Prevention and Control: Knowing about the different methods for controlling and preventing the spread of nosocomial infections, including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, environmental cleaning, and infection control teams, is crucial for healthcare professionals.
Diagnosis and Treatment: Learning how to diagnose different types of nosocomial infections, such as through laboratory tests and clinical signs and symptoms, and knowing the appropriate treatment options is critical in providing effective care and reducing morbidity and mortality.
Surveillance and Outbreak Investigations: Understanding the role of surveillance in monitoring and preventing nosocomial infections, including recognizing and responding to outbreaks, is essential for healthcare workers involved in infection control.
Antibiotic Stewardship: Knowing how to use antibiotics responsibly and efficiently to prevent antibiotic resistance and further spread of nosocomial infections is crucial in reducing morbidity and mortality.
Patient Education: Educating patients and their families on the importance of infection prevention measures, such as hand hygiene and proper wound care, can aid in reducing the risk of nosocomial infections and provide improved patient outcomes.
Legal and Ethical Issues: Understanding the legal and ethical issues surrounding nosocomial infections, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and liability, is necessary for healthcare professionals involved in managing infectious diseases.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): These infections are caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract, usually through a catheter or during surgery. Symptoms include painful urination, frequent urination, fever, and back pain.
Surgical site infections (SSIs): These infections occur after surgery and can affect the incision site. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and warmth around the incision, along with fever and pain.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP): This type of infection occurs in patients who are on a ventilator and can be caused by bacteria from the patient's own mouth or lungs. Symptoms include fever, chills, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Bloodstream infections (BSIs): These infections occur when bacteria enter the bloodstream, usually through catheters or IV lines. Symptoms include fever, chills, and low blood pressure.
Gastrointestinal infections: These infections are caused by bacteria such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff), which can be spread through contaminated surfaces or hands. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
Skin and soft tissue infections: These infections can occur after surgery or in patients with wounds. They can be caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, and symptoms may include redness, swelling, and pain.
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs): These infections occur when bacteria enter the bloodstream through a central line or catheter. Symptoms are similar to BSIs.
Respiratory tract infections: These infections can be caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses and can affect the lungs, throat, or nose. Symptoms may include coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing.
Eye infections: Eye infections can be caused by bacteria or viruses and can affect the conjunctiva, cornea, or other parts of the eye. Symptoms may include redness, itching, and discharge.
Fungal infections: These infections are caused by fungal spores and can affect different parts of the body, such as the lungs, skin, or nails. Symptoms can vary depending on the location of the infection.
"in a hospital or other healthcare facility"
"it is sometimes instead called a healthcare-associated infection"
"nursing home, rehabilitation facility, outpatient clinic, diagnostic laboratory or other clinical settings"
"A number of dynamic processes can bring contamination into operating rooms and other areas within nosocomial settings"
"Infection is spread to the susceptible patient in the clinical setting by various means"
"Healthcare staff also spread infection"
"contaminated equipment, bed linens, or air droplets"
"The infection can originate from the outside environment, another infected patient, staff that may be infected, or in some cases, the source of the infection cannot be determined."
"the microorganism originates from the patient's own skin microbiota, becoming opportunistic after surgery or other procedures that compromise the protective skin barrier."
"the infection is still considered nosocomial since it develops in the healthcare setting"
"Nosocomial infection tends to lack evidence that it was present when the patient entered the healthcare setting"
"meaning it was acquired post-admission"
"from the Greek nosokomeion, meaning 'hospital'"
"Healthcare staff also spread infection"
"in addition to contaminated equipment, bed linens, or air droplets"
"Infection can be acquired in the hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation facility, outpatient clinic, diagnostic laboratory or other clinical settings."
"infection can originate from... another infected patient"
"in some cases, the source of the infection cannot be determined"
"A number of dynamic processes can bring contamination into operating rooms and other areas within nosocomial settings."