15 Questions
What is the primary focus of Healthcare Epidemiology?
Preventing infections in healthcare facilities
Which of the following falls under the practices and activities covered by Healthcare Epidemiology?
Policy development and implementation
What are Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)?
Infections acquired inside healthcare facilities
What are Iatrogenic Infections?
Infections occurring due to medical or surgical intervention
Which of the following is a common type of nosocomial infection?
Urinary tract infections
Which factor is a major contributor to nosocomial infections?
Failure of healthcare personnel to follow infection control guidelines
Which pathogen is differentiated from Staphylococcus aureus by being less pathogenic and more resistant to antibiotics?
Methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE)
Which bacterium is found in wet environments and is associated with respiratory tract and bloodstream infections?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Which bacterium is part of the normal flora in the colon and is associated with intra-abdominal, liver, and urinary tract infections?
Enterobacter spp.
Which pathogen is known for being a major global public health concern and includes bacteria producing extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPEs)?
Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB)
Which bacterium is resistant to antibiotics and sterilization techniques and is found in wet environments causing respiratory tract and bloodstream infections?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Which bacterium is known for causing antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and pseudomembranous colitis (PMC)?
Clostridium difficile
Which pathogen is often involved in nosocomial infections and is differentiated from Staphylococcus aureus by being present in greater numbers on the skin, less pathogenic, and more resistant to antibiotics?
Methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE)
Which factor has led to an increased number of nosocomial infections?
Increased number of immunocompromised patients
Which bacteria is differentiated from Staphylococcus aureus by being part of the normal flora in the colon and causing intra-abdominal, liver, and urinary tract infections?
Enterobacter spp.
Study Notes
Focus of Healthcare Epidemiology
- Primary focus is on preventing and controlling Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Practices and Activities Covered by Healthcare Epidemiology
- Surveillance for HAIs
- Outbreak investigation and control
- Development and implementation of infection prevention and control practices
- Education and training of healthcare personnel
- Collaboration with other healthcare professionals
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
- Infections that occur in patients during the course of receiving healthcare treatment
- Examples: nosocomial infections, surgical site infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia
Iatrogenic Infections
- Infections caused by medical or surgical treatment
- Examples: hospital-acquired infections, surgical site infections
Nosocomial Infections
- Common type: urinary tract infections
- Major contributor: inadequate hand hygiene
- Examples: ventilator-associated pneumonia, surgical site infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections
Pathogens
- Staphylococcus aureus: highly pathogenic and resistant to antibiotics
- Coagulase-negative staphylococci: less pathogenic and more resistant to antibiotics
- Legionella: found in wet environments, associated with respiratory tract and bloodstream infections
- Escherichia coli: part of the normal flora in the colon, associated with intra-abdominal, liver, and urinary tract infections
- Enterobacteriaceae: major global public health concern, includes bacteria producing extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPEs)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa: resistant to antibiotics and sterilization techniques, found in wet environments, causes respiratory tract and bloodstream infections
- Clostridioides difficile: causes antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and pseudomembranous colitis (PMC)
Factors Contributing to Nosocomial Infections
- Inadequate hand hygiene
- Increased use of antibiotics
- Presence of invasive devices (e.g., central lines, ventilators)
Test your knowledge of healthcare epidemiology, which involves studying the occurrence, determinants, and distribution of diseases within healthcare settings. This quiz covers infection prevention and control, surveillance measures, and risk assessment in healthcare facilities.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
