Prevention and treatment of healthcare-associated infections

ABSTRACT

Healthcare-associated infections are infections that develop within a hospital and were not present or incubating upon admission. Almost all healthcare-associated infections become evident 2 days after admission. A patient may develop a healthcare-associated infection after hospital discharge if the pathogen was acquired in the hospital. Healthcare-associated infections most frequently involve the urinary tract, surgical sites, the lower respiratory tract, and the bloodstream, with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus being the most common pathogens identified. The microorganisms of healthcare-associated infections are usually more antimicrobial resistant than the same ones of community origin. Prevention of healthcare-associated infections, as well as those related to intravenous devices, requires standard infection control procedures in other words, universal precautions including hand hygiene by all healthcare workers. Management of healthcare-associated infections includes supportive care, underlying disease treatment, displacement of an intravenous or intraurethral device and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Healthcare-associated infections are not only a personal health issue but also a public health issue; therefore, the public and the government should cooperate to contribute to developing and implementing rational solutions for these infections.