Untitled Quiz

Health Care Associated Infection (HAIS)

• Health care associated infections (HAIs) are infections that occur when attending a hospital or any health care facility to receive medical services.
• HAIs were previously termed nosocomial infections or hospital-associated infections.

Definition and Sources of Infection

• HAIs can be defined as infections acquired by a person in the hospital, which may manifest during hospitalization or after discharge.
• The person may be a patient, hospital staff member, or visitor.
• Sources of infection can be endogenous (direct) or exogenous (indirect).
• Endogenous infections are caused by organisms present as part of normal flora of the patient.
• Exogenous infections are caused by organisms acquired through exposure to hospital personnel, medical devices, or the hospital environment.

Modes of Transmission

• Modes of transmission include:
  • Contact/hand-borne (most common)
  • Injection and inhalation
  • Foodborne and arthropod (occasional modes)

Causative Organisms

• No specific information on causative organisms, but mentioned as an important aspect of HAIs.

Forms of HAIs

• Forms of HAIs include:
  • Blood-borne viral infections (HBV, HCV, HIV)
  • Common community infections (e.g. influenza, diarrhea)

Prevention of HAIs

• Prevention measures include:
  • Effective infection control committee
  • Measures for healthcare providers:
    • Being free of infection
    • Protection by active immunization
    • Management of occupational exposure to infection
    • Education and training on standard precautions
  • Standard precautions:
    • Hand hygiene
    • Use of personal protective equipment
    • Safe injection practices
    • Safe handling of potentially contaminated equipment or surfaces
    • Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
  • Surveillance of HAIs through active surveillance and early case finding
  • Sanitary environment
  • Sterilization and asepsis
  • Chemoprophylaxis
  • Administrative regulations