Hospital-acquired

Hospital-acquired, also known as nosocomial, describes an infection or condition that a patient contracts during a stay in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility. These infections are not present or incubating at the time of admission but develop at least 48 hours after admission. Factors contributing to hospital-acquired conditions include weakened patient immune systems, the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, invasive medical procedures, and close proximity of patients. Prevention strategies involve strict hygiene protocols, appropriate use of antibiotics, and monitoring for outbreaks to minimize the risk and ensure patient safety within these healthcare environments. It is a major challenge in healthcare.

Hospital-acquired meaning with examples

• Following surgery, the patient developed a hospital-acquired pneumonia, likely due to compromised immunity and exposure in the ICU. This unfortunately prolonged their stay and required specific antibiotic treatment. Infection control measures were immediately reviewed to prevent further occurrences, emphasizing hand hygiene and environmental cleaning as essential precautions.
• The elderly patient was diagnosed with a hospital-acquired urinary tract infection following catheterization during their hospitalization for a hip fracture. The use of catheters created an easy access for bacteria to enter the bladder. Antibiotic stewardship and early catheter removal were vital parts of the treatment, along with aggressive hydration to prevent kidney problems.
• Due to poor hygiene practices, the hospital experienced an increase in hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections among surgical patients. The situation prompted the hospital administration to implement stricter protocols, including enhanced screening for carriers and aggressive contact precautions to stop its spread. The goal was to improve patient safety.
• A premature infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) developed a hospital-acquired bloodstream infection caused by a multi-drug resistant organism. Because of their vulnerable immune system, this was life-threatening. Isolation of the infected infant and enhanced handwashing by staff were immediately required to protect the other infants.
• The patient's prolonged hospitalization for cancer treatment increased their risk of a hospital-acquired fungal infection, related to the immunosuppressive effects of chemotherapy. Prophylactic antifungal medications were prescribed, alongside routine surveillance to detect and manage the infection early. The patient's recovery was hampered by this complication.