Hospital Acquired Infections

Question 1

What is meant by “hospital acquired infections”?

Answer 1

AKA Nosocomial Infections, are infections that are contracted 48 hours after hospitalisation and that were not present or incubating at the time of admission.

Question 2

What are some causes of Hospital Acquired infections?

Answer 2

1. Common Causative Pathogens
   - Surgical Site Infections ⇒ E.coli and S.aureus
   - Nosocomial Pneumonia ⇒ S.aureus and Aeruginosa. Can also get Ventilator-associated pneumonia.
   - Nosocomial UTIs ⇒ E.coli
   - Bloodstream Infections ⇒ S.aureus
   - GI Infections ⇒ C.difficile
   - Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection or Catheter-Associated UTI
2. Multidrug-Resistant Organisms → bacteria that are resistant to ≥1 antimicrobial agent
   - Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Question 3

What are the risk factors for hospital acquired infections?

Answer 3

Age >70 years, lengthy hospital stays, foreign bodies (eg. catheters, mechanical ventilation), recent antibiotic use, metabolic diseases (especially diabetes), immunosuppression