“Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are defined as infections not present and without evidence of incubation at the time of admission to a healthcare setting. As a better reflection of the diverse healthcare settings currently available to patients, the term healthcare-associated infections replaced old ones such as nosocomial, hospital-acquired or hospital-onset infections.” http://emedicine.medscape.com.
“Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are infections caused by a wide variety of common and unusual bacteria, fungi, and viruses during the course of receiving medical care” http://www.cdc.gov.
HAIs can be acquired anywhere healthcare
is delivered, for example inpatient acute care settings, outpatient settings
including ambulatory surgical center, dialysis centers, extended care facilities,
and rehabilitation centers. HAIs are not just limited to inpatient care.
Some examples of HAIs include:
- Central line infection
- Catheter- associated urinary tract infections
- Surgical site infections
- Ventilator associated infections
- Clostridium difficile
infections
Over the last several years new advances in medical technology have introduced new lifesaving measures for patients in need. Yet, many come with the risk of infection. These infection related to medical care can be debilitating and even deadly.
Wherever patient care is provided, inpatient or outpatient, adherence to infection prevention protocols is needed to guarantee that all care is safe for the patients.
References:
http://www.hhs.gov.
http://emedicine.medscape.com.
http://www.cdc.gov
Attention grabbing first post. Love the poster. Should draw some attention.
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