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Important Nosocomial Infections: Dr. Linroy D. Christian

1) Nosocomial infections, also known as hospital-acquired infections, are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions within healthcare facilities. 2) Patients are vulnerable to infection in hospitals due to underlying illnesses, invasive medical procedures, proximity to other sick patients and often weakened immune systems. 3) Common types of nosocomial infections include urinary tract infections, pneumonia, surgical site infections, and bloodstream infections, which can be caused by drug-resistant organisms and spread between patients and staff if proper preventative measures are not followed.

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151 views17 pages

Important Nosocomial Infections: Dr. Linroy D. Christian

1) Nosocomial infections, also known as hospital-acquired infections, are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions within healthcare facilities. 2) Patients are vulnerable to infection in hospitals due to underlying illnesses, invasive medical procedures, proximity to other sick patients and often weakened immune systems. 3) Common types of nosocomial infections include urinary tract infections, pneumonia, surgical site infections, and bloodstream infections, which can be caused by drug-resistant organisms and spread between patients and staff if proper preventative measures are not followed.

Uploaded by

Blake Kammin
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Important Nosocomial Infections

Dr. Linroy D. Christian

Infections Associated with Healthcare


In modern times there has been a decrease in the incidence of infections associated with healthcare Hospitals house the sick, therefore the risk of infection in such an environment is great Patients are often vulnerable to infection due to their weakened state

Underlying disease

Risk Factors for Infection

Diseases that affect the immune system as well as other underlying issues such as poor circulation Treatment of the disease may also increase the risk of infection

Age Invasive procedures such as intubation, catheterisation and IV

Risk Factors for Infection


Drug resistant microbes
MRSA, VR Enterococci

Special care units


Often severely ill and require IV feeding and mechanical ventillation Premature babies

Review of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI)

Urinary Tract Infections


Microbes enter the bladder via catheters The presence of the catheter prevents the normal flushing of the bladder Organisms may spread to the kidney as well as the bloodstream E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis are common causes of infection The vagina is also a reservoir for opportunistic pathogens

Symptoms of UTIs
Frequent urination Pain fever

Prevention of UTIs
Cleansing of periurethral area prior to catheter insertion Careful selection of catheter type Management of the drainage system Patient education Treatment may include removal of the catheter or antibiotic treatment

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections


Caused as a result of intubation, mechanically assisted ventilation or inhalation of aerosols Can occur as bronchitis, tracheitis and pneumonia The immunocompromised and children are mostly at risk for opportunistic infections Commonly caused by Aspergillus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae and viruses

Prevention of Hospital Acquired Pneumonia


Hygiene of staff and use of proper aseptic technique Proper cleaning and maintenance of ventilators, nebulisers and resuscitation bags Maintenance of the airway of the patient Use of clean equipment and devices Post operative support to patients Management of immobile patients

Prevention of Hospital Acquired Pneumonia


Prophylaxis
Potential drawbacks

Selective decontamination of the digestive tract

Surgical Wound Infections


Usually occur after prolonged procedures due to trauma to the site The risk of infection increases in areas that have large numbers of bacteria such as the gut Foreign material such as sutures may increase the risk of infection Immunocompromised patients more at risk Preoperative stay may allow for colonisation by hospital flora that are resistant to treatment

Signs of a Wound infection


Pain at the site Pus formation Swelling Purulent exudate Discolouration

Measures to Prevent Surgical Wound Infection


Preparation of patient Hygiene of staff, equipment and surroundings Postoperative care Monitoring of wound infections Use of antiseptics

Infection of the Bloodstream


An infection of the blood that results in a diseased state is referred to as septicaemia The common symptoms are fever, chills, rigors or hypotension The main source of such infection is IV Other types of infection such as wound, urinary or respiratory infections may lead to blood infections The elderly, the young and the immunosuppressed are more susceptible

Common Sources of Blood Infections

Prevention of IV-Associated Infections


Aseptic technique during catheter insertion Maintenance of insertion site Management of fluid insertion device Catheter replacement Education of patients using IVs at home

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