Hospital-Acquired Infections: Current Trends and Prevention

Abstract

Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are the primary cause of preventable death and disability among hospitalized patients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), complications or infections secondary to either device implantation or surgery are referred to as HAIs. Specifically, the CDC monitors surgical site infections, central-line-associated bloodstream infection, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonias. This article explores HAIs specific to pathophysiology, epidemiology, and prevention, and how nurses can work together with other health care providers to decrease the incidence of these preventable complications.

Keywords: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection; Central-line–associated bloodstream infection; Health care–associated infections; Hospital-acquired infections; Surgical site infection; Ventilator-associated pneumonia.