1. Hospital acquired infections/ Nosocomial infections
Dr Paul T Francis, MD
Prof. Com Med
College of Medicine, Zawia

2. Hospital acquired infection/Nosocomial infection
Hospital acquired infection is cross infection of one patient by another or by doctors, nurses and other hospital staff while in hospital
The prevalence of hospital acquired infection is about 7-12% all over the world

3. Common sites of Nosocomial infection
Urinary tract – is the most common site
Surgical site infections
Pneumonia
Bacteraemia
Skin infection
Gastroenteritis

4. Common organisms causing infections
Bacteria
S aureus, E coli, Proteus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, S marcescens
Virus
Hepatitis B and C
Fungi
Candida

5. Hospital acquired infections
Source
Routes of spread
Recipients

6. Sources
Patients
– Patients suffering form infectious diseases are potential sources of infection
Viral infections – measles, viral hepatitis
Skin infections – discharging wounds, infected skin lesions
Respiratory infections – sore throat, pulmonary tuberculosis
Urinary tract infections -

7. Source Staff Environment Doctors, nurses and other ward staff
They may be carriers of Staphylococcus aureus
Environment
Hospital dust
Bed linen, furniture, door handle
Hospital equipment – ECG machine, Scanning machine etc.

8. Routes of spread Direct contact Droplet infection Airborne
Release of hospital dust into air
Through hospital procedures like catheterization, intravenous procedures etc.

9. Recipients All patients are potential recipients of cross infection
Those who are severely ill and under corticosteroid therapy are more at risk
Patients in intensive care units are more at risk.

10. Preventive measures Isolation Hospital staff Hand washing
Infectious patients must be isolated
Hospital staff
Those who suffer from skin diseases, sore throat, diarrhea should not work in the hospital till they are cured
Hand washing
The most common route of infection is through hands. So hands must be washed before touching a patient or doing any procedure

12. Preventive measure Dust control Disinfection
Use of vacuum cleaners for cleaning will prevent dust
Disinfection
Articles used by patients must be disinfected
Control of droplet infection
Use of face masks, proper bed spacing, good ventilation
Administrative measures
There should be a hospital infection control committee to monitor the infection and infection control

13. Summary
Hospital acquired infection is a serious risk for any patient visiting a hospital
It leads to more morbidity and mortality
It is also an important reason for increased cost of treatment
Care must be taken to prevent hospital acquired infections