Nosocomial infections are defined as any sort of infection that originates from a health care setting, such as a hospital or doctor's office. Nosocomial infections can cause many serious health problems and can also result in longer hospital stays and expensive treatments. There are a number of measures that can be taken to prevent these dangerous diseases.
Types
Nosocomial infections are typically caused by opportunistic infections, Stephen Abedon of Ohio State University explains. Opportunistic infections are those caused by bacteria that typically do not cause any health problems but can get into the body when the immune system is weakened or the body's natural defenses are compromised. One of the main ways in which opportunistic infections get into the body is through breaks in the skin, which can happen due to surgery or the use of certain medical devices, such as catheters. Common opportunistic bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeurigonosa and members of the Entercoccus family.
Infection Sites
Nosocomial infections can affect almost any part of the body, but there are certain sites that are more commonly affected than others. The urinary tract is the most common site of infection, due to catheter use. Surgical sites can also become infected due to the sometimes large incisions made in the skin. The skin, which can be compromised by burns or other wounds, as well as the respiratory system are also common sites for a nosocomial infection. Less frequently, the blood, gastrointestinal system and central nervous system may also be affected.
Causes of Spread
Nosocomial infections are a major problem in hospitals because there are three factors that allow them to spread from patient to patient very easily. First, most patients in a hospital or other health care setting have some sort of medical condition, which often results in their immune systems being weakened. Second, because many patients are suffering from an infectious disease, there are large amounts of germs in any health care setting. Finally, patients are seen by doctors and other professionals who go from one patient to another, representing an effective mode of transportation for the germs.
Resistance to Antibiotics
One major problem with nosocomial infections is that they are frequently resistant to antibiotics. This is because antibiotics are commonly used in the health care setting as part of the treatment of infections. Rampant antibiotic use can lead to bacteria evolving and gaining resistance to the antibiotics that are commonly used to treat infections. This can result in nosocomial infections that are caused by bacteria as MDROs, or multi-drug resistant organisms, the Centers for Disease Control explains.
Prevention
In many cases, nosocomial infections can be prevented by following certain practices that can help keep bacteria from being spread from patient to patient, according to Johns Hopkins University. Medical staff should wear gloves whenever possible and wash their hands frequently. It is also important for all instruments to be thoroughly sterilized and otherwise decontaminated to keep bacteria from gaining access to patients via medical equipment. In addition, it is important to keep all operating rooms as sterile and germ-free as possible.
