Facility-acquired

Relating to a condition, infection, or other health-related event that originates or develops within a healthcare setting, such as a hospital, clinic, or nursing home, and which was not present or incubating at the time the patient entered the facility. This term often implies a situation where the patient's exposure to the causative agent occurred within the facility. It encompasses a broad range of adverse outcomes, from relatively mild infections to severe complications that can prolong hospitalization, increase healthcare costs, and potentially lead to serious health problems or death. The term highlights the importance of infection control and prevention measures within healthcare environments.

Facility-acquired meaning with examples

• Mrs. Gable, admitted for a routine procedure, developed a facility-acquired pneumonia three days into her stay. Doctors suspected that the infection stemmed from exposure to airborne bacteria prevalent in the intensive care unit. She was quickly placed on antibiotics and monitored closely. Further investigation revealed lapses in hand hygiene compliance among some staff members, which were then addressed with targeted training. Her recovery was challenging and she was subsequently discharged with a longer-term prescription of antibiotics.
• The hospital's quality assurance team was tasked with investigating an increase in facility-acquired MRSA infections. Their report detailed a complex interplay of factors, including patient density, staff-to-patient ratios, and the implementation of sterile practices within the operating theaters. They recommended enhanced environmental cleaning protocols, improved screening for MRSA colonization upon patient admission, and the immediate isolation of infected patients. Funding was also requested for the purchasing of new equipment. The report was received by the administration.
• Following the surgery, the patient developed a facility-acquired bloodstream infection. The physicians are running further tests but suspect that it entered through the insertion of a central venous catheter. The clinical case was carefully considered by the medical staff in an effort to pinpoint the source of the infection to allow for preventative measures, should it be necessary in the future. The patient’s condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring extended treatment and an increased risk of additional complications.
• A comprehensive review of patient records revealed a cluster of facility-acquired Clostridium difficile infections linked to the prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics. This discovery prompted the infectious disease control committee to revise antibiotic stewardship guidelines. They began encouraging the use of more targeted antibiotic therapies, promoted improved methods for proper hand hygiene protocols, and launched a project to assess all healthcare staff members in the hospital. The goal was to curtail the incidence and improve the safety of patients.