In the United States, it is estimated that approximately 1 out of every 20 hospitalized patients will contract a healthcare-associated infection (HAI). (citation)
The most common types of infections in U.S. hospitals include (citation)
It is important to understand the different types of HAIs and how they are spread to be able to effectively prevent them.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when germs enter the urinary system and affect the bladder (which stores the urine) and/or the kidneys (which filter the blood to make urine). These infections are often associated with the use of a catheter, which is a tube placed into the bladder to drain urine.
Surgical site infections (SSIs) occur after surgery in the part of the body where the surgery took place. These infections may involve only the skin, or may be more serious and involve tissue under the skin, organs, or implanted material. SSIs sometimes take days or months after surgery to develop.
Respiratory or lung infections (such as pneumonia) can also be healthcare-associated. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a type of lung infection that occurs in a person who has been on a ventilator. A ventilator is a machine that helps a person breathe by giving oxygen through a tube placed in the mouth, nose, or through a hole in the front of the neck. Germs can enter the ventilator and get into the patient’s lungs, causing illness.
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) occur when germs enter the bloodstream through a central line. A central line is a tube that is placed in a large vein to give fluids, blood, or medications, or to do certain medical tests quickly.
Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) can cause infections of the blood, skin, or organ systems. These infections have arisen due to the overuse or misuse of antibiotics, which has resulted in the germs becoming more resistant to antibiotic therapy. Methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA) is an example of a MDRO. Approximately 16% of HAIs are associated with MDROs.
Clostridium difficile (or C. difficile) is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea and other intestinal problems. These infections are often associated with prolonged antibiotic use because antibiotics can wipe out “good” bacteria in the gut, allowing the C. difficile bacteria to grow and cause illness.
Bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV, can be spread in healthcare settings through contact with an infected individual’s blood or body fluids.
Other illnesses or infections such as influenza, norovirus, tuberculosis, and scabies can also be transmitted in healthcare settings.
For basic information on the difference between bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, please see the Microbiology 101 PDF.
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