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Healthcare-associated infections 

Healthcare-associated infections
Chapter:
Healthcare-associated infections
Author(s):

David J. Weber

, Emily E. Sickbert-Bennett

, and William A. Rutala

DOI:
10.1093/med/9780198719830.003.0021
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date: 17 April 2021

Health care-associated infections are generally defined as infections that were not present or incubating at the time of admission to hospital. They are major causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. The commonest pathogens causing health care-associated infections include Gram-positive cocci, enteric Gram-negative bacilli, non-enteric Gram-negative bacilli, and Candida species. Prevention of person-to-person transmission of pathogens in hospital settings include surveillance, hand hygiene, prompt institution of isolation precautions for patients with communicable diseases, immunization of health-care personnel with recommended vaccines for vaccine-preventable diseases, appropriate disinfection of the surface environment, and adherence to recommended methods for disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices.

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