Nosocomial infections

Nosocomial infectionBy
Dr. Ameer kadhim Hussein.
M.B.Ch.B. FICMS (Community Medicine).
A nosocomial infection also called “hospital acquired infection HAI” can be defined as an infection acquired in hospital by a patient who was admitted for a reason other than that infection.
It is infection occurring in a patient in a hospital or other health care facility in whom the infection was not present or incubating at the time of admission. This includes infections acquired in the hospital but appearing after discharge, and also occupational infections among staff of the facility.
Nosocomial infections occur worldwide and affect both developed and resource-poor countries. Infections acquired in health care settings are among the major causes of death and increased morbidity among hospitalized patients.
They are a significant burden both for the patient and for public health.
A prevalence survey conducted by WHO in 55 hospitals of 14 countries representing 4 WHO Regions (Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia and Western Pacific) showed an average of 8.7% of hospital patients had nosocomial infections.
The most frequent nosocomial infections are infections of surgical wounds, urinary tract infections and lower respiratory tract infections.
The WHO study has shown that the highest prevalence of nosocomial infections occurs in intensive care units and in acute surgical and orthopaedic wards.
Infection rates are higher among patients with increased susceptibility because of old age, underlying disease, or chemotherapy.
1,7 million affected patients.
Urinary Tract Infection: 36%; 561,667 episodes, 13,088 deaths.
Surgical Site Infection: 20%; 274,098 episodes.
Catheter Related Bloodstream Infections: 11%; 250,000episodes,28,000 deaths.
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia: 11%.
Attributable mortality: 3.6%, approximately 99,000 deaths.
Annual economic impact: about US$ 4,5 billion.