Hospital Acquired Infections

Question 1

What is the definition of a hospital acquired infection (HAI)?

Answer 1

Infection with an onset >48 hours after admission

Question 2

Give 4 common sites/types of HAI

Answer 2

GI infection
UTI
Bacteraemia
Surgical site infection

Question 3

Which bacteria commonly causes hospital acquired GI infections?

Answer 3

Clostridium difficile

Question 4

How is C. diff transmitted?

Answer 4

Spore ingestion

Question 5

What is the main predisposing factor for hospital acquired C. diff infection?

Answer 5

Disturbance of existing gut flora by antibiotics

Question 6

Which antibiotics are particularly implicated in causing C. diff infections?

Answer 6

“The 3 Cs”
Clindamycin (used for pen-allergic pts with cellulitis)
Cephalosporins
Ciprofloxacin

Question 7

What is the name of the inflammatory process caused by a C diff infection?

Answer 7

Pseudomembranous colitis; an acute inflammatory disease of the colon caused by the toxins released by C. diff overgrowth

Question 8

What is the treatment for C. diff?

Answer 8

Oral metronidazole

Question 9

Which bacteria commonly causes hospital acquired UTI?

Answer 9

E coli

Question 10

What is the main risk factor for contracting a hospital acquired UTI?

Answer 10

Catheter in situ

Question 11

What is hospital acquired E coli often resistant to?

Answer 11

Extended spectrum beta-lactamases

Question 12

Other than E. coli, give 3 other organisms responsible for hospital acquired UTIs

Answer 12

Klebsiella
Proteus
Pseudomonas

Question 13

Give 3 bacteria responsible for hospital acquired bacteraemia

Answer 13

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Coagulase -ve staphylococcus
E. coli

Question 14

Give 2 bacteria responsible for hospital acquired surgical site infections (Hint: same as bacteraemia)

Answer 14

MRSA

Coagulase -ve staph