What is healthcare acquired infection?
Healthcare acquired infection is any infection which a patient may get as a result of treatment for an illness. It can be acquired as a result of treatment in hospital, a GP's surgery or even the patient's own home – any place where treatment is given.
In many cases the type of bacterium which causes the infection is part of the patient's own bacterial flora normally present on the body. Only a minority of patients get an infection with bacteria from the hospital or clinic. Urinary, bowel, wound and chest infections are the commonest infections.
Why do patients get an infection?
The most important factor is the susceptibility of the patient. For example, those with diabetes, kidney failure or cancer have a lowered immunity as a result of their illness putting them at greater risk of infection. Frail, elderly patients and the very young are also very susceptible to certain infections.
To treat a people in hospital we often need to use devices such as intravenous drips and urinary catheters. These can act as sites where infection can easily enter the body.
All types of wound, including surgical wounds, provide a break in the skin’s natural defence and may become infected, usually with bacteria which were already present on the skin. While it is not possible to completely eliminate infections, it is possible to reduce it to a minimum through good infection control practice.
