what is HAI - healthcare associated infections
when a person contacts an infection while receiving medical treatment in the hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or any healthcare setting
HAI’s are more common bc
- antibiotic resistance
- population increased = higher risk
- improved detection methods
- more awareness
30% of HAI can be prevented w
increased hygiene and control practices
Meticillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA)
- gram +ve bacteria lives in the skin and nasal cavities. lives in 30% in healthy organisims without causing an infection
- causes infections from the breaks in the skin as cuts or wounds which leads to boiling pimples. may cause serious infection in the hone, heart, bloodstream
-General Staph. aureus strains respond to penicillin based antibiotics - spread from person to person, someone w unwashed hands, contaminated surfaces
- mrsa is resistant to penicillin based antibiotics as flucoxacilin which limits the treatment options.
increase risk of mrsa includes
- ppl w/ chronic conditions as diabetes, cancer, vascular disease, lung disease
- open wounds, ppl on drips and drains
- ppl w weekend immune system
symptoms of mrsa
- depends on the location of the infection
- wound: tender and redness
- penunoma: coughing
Community-associated MRSA commonly causes
skin infections, such as boils, abscesses, or cellulitis. Often, people think they have been bitten by a spider or insect. you must be isolated
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ( VRE)
- gram +ve bacteria that lives in the skin and intestine
- resistant to vancomycin
- causes serious infections especially ppl who are ill and weak
- can cause infection anywhere in the body especially: intestine, urinary tract, and wounds
Symptoms of VRE
- depends on the location of the infection
- wound: red or tender
- urinary tract infection: back pain, burning sensation while urinating
- diarrhoea , feeling weak, chills , fever, sickness
Risk factors of HAI’s
. Medical procedures and antibiotic use
* Organizational factors
* Patient characteristics
. behaviours of health care providers and their interactions with the health care system also influence the rate of HAIs.
- physical determinants include:
Use and maintenance of medical devices, such as catheters and ventilators
* Complications following surgical procedures
* Transmission between patients and health care workersOther issues that increase the risk of HAIs are:
* Contaminated air conditioning systems
* Disproportionate nurse-to-patient ratio
* Physical layout of the health care facility (for example, open beds close together)
Combating/ preventing HAI’s
- Proper education and training of health care workers
- careful use of antibiotics or antimicrobial drugs
- good hygiene practices
- minimise risk factors
- increase hygiene control procedures in outpatient
- single use of medication vitals
- excellent sterilisation and disinfection practices
