The 3 Most Common Hospital-Acquired Infections

Hospital-acquired infections (HAI) are infections that patients develop during their hospital stays that were not originally present during their initial admission to the facility. Risks for hospital-acquired infections are dependent upon the pathogens present within a community, the patient’s general status of immunity, and the hospital’s infection control practices. Here are the three most common hospital-acquired infections.

Bloodstream Infections

The presence of bacteria or microorganisms in the bloodstream that can cause an inflammatory reaction characterizes a bloodstream infection. A number of factors can cause bloodstream infections. For example, patients who have just undergone surgery or who have a catheter or IV are at a higher risk of developing bloodstream infections. In addition, urinary tract infections and pneumonia can also lead to a bloodstream infection if not treated quickly.

Bloodstream infections can cause sepsis, which is a serious medical emergency that can result in death. In order to avoid bloodstream infections, hospitals need to take the necessary steps to make sure patients are safe.

Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are among the most common types of infections that someone can acquire in hospitals or health-care centers. The use of catheters can often cause UTIs by allowing microorganisms or bacteria into the urinary tract. In addition, immunosuppression, exposure to antibiotics, or abnormalities in the urinary tract can also cause UTIs.

Severe urinary tract infections can lead to infections of the bladder, liver, urethra, prostate, or bloodstream. Therefore, it’s imperative that health-care facilities follow proper protocol and guidelines to minimize the risk of UTIs and give quick, effective treatment if a UTI is present in a patient.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a common hospital-acquired infection that affects the tissue of the lungs. It affects the normal function of the alveoli, or air sacs, causing them to fill with fluid, inflammatory cells, and microorganisms. It can infect any person of any age, but it’s especially detrimental to very young or elderly patients. Pneumonia is the most common hospital-acquired infection resulting in death.

The use of ventilators in the intensive care unit can be a causing factor of pneumonia in patients. In order to reduce the cases of hospital-acquired infections such as pneumonia, it’s crucial that health-care facilities have proper practices in place to ensure the safety of patients.

Now that we’ve gone over the three most common hospital-acquired infections, you can order medical supplies online that will reduce the risks of these infections. American Hospital Supply offers a large selection of medical supplies that you can order online for your hospital, health-care facility, or home.