Hospital-acquired infections — a silent killer?
Severity of Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs):
HAIs have been a major problem in patient safety for decades, accounting for 2 million cases and 80K deaths every year. These infections occur during the course of receiving health care.
The hospital environment, seemingly clean and sterile, may carry a silent threat in the form of viruses, germs, as well as infectious bacteria. When a patient acquires an HAI they not only suffer, but the duration of their hospital stay is prolonged, additional medical diagnostics and treatment are needed, incurring substantial costs.
At any given time, about 1.4 million people across the globe suffer from a hospital acquired infection. India is one of the countries with high rates of HAI and recent times present a greater challenge in the management of such infections.
Who is at risk:
Infection risk is 10% higher at healthcare centres. Most people have compromised immune systems during their hospital stay, so they’re more likely to contract an infection.
Some people have a higher risk of acquiring HAI such as babies, children, the elderly, people with medical conditions, and those with defective immunity. Longer hospital stays, frequent hospital visits, recent invasive procedures, ventilatory support, and stay in a critical care unit increase risk of hospital-acquired infections.
Not surprisingly, more than 20 percent of all HAIs occur in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Cause and spread:
Bacteria, fungus and viruses can cause HAIs. Bacteria alone cause about 90 percent of these cases. Common HAIs include bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, pneumonia, and Clostridium difficile infections.
They spread mainly through person-to-person contact. This includes unclean hands, and medical instruments such as catheters, respiratory machines, and other hospital tools.
A stethoscope is also a potential route of infection transmission.
HAI in India:
Over the years, there has been an increase in HAIs among patients in India. The infections are caused due to the lack of compliance with infection control guidelines, such as hand hygiene, use of outdated technology, misuse or excessive use of antibiotics and more.
Administrative and financial support in public hospitals is insufficient to fund full infection control programmes. With limited resources, there are limitations on providing a good enough manpower, proper guidelines, proper training, proper education, good behaviour, and right technology.
How to stop HAI:
Illness, disease, and injury can make us feel out of control and at the mercy of fate. While any outcome can not be guaranteed, these four steps can help reduce your chances of getting an infection while receiving treatment at a hospital or healthcare facility:
Tips to protect yourself from HAI
#1: Take A Shower Before Admission
Bacteria are everywhere and typically produce no life-threatening problems to healthy individuals. However, a hospital procedure will make the patient more vulnerable to infection. Typical recommendations include using an antiseptic soap, sleeping in just-washed bedding, and dressing in just-washed clothing the day of the procedure.
#2: Practice Telling People to Wash Their Hands
Healthcare workers are human beings and prone to all the human errors we all make, including forgetting to wash hands. In our society and culture, asking someone to wash their hands can feel insulting, awkward, or rude. However, the number one way to reduce HAIs is excellent hand hygiene and it is important to break down the social barriers you may feel.
#3: Know Your Risks
Certain procedures and treatments will heighten your risk of getting an HAI. If you know this in advance, you can play a role in monitoring your own recovery and become a valuable member of your healthcare team.
#4: Speak Up and Ask Questions
You should speak up when you have any concerns and act as a “reminder service” for your healthcare team. It can be very difficult to question a health care professional — you don’t want to insult them, make them think you don’t trust them, or annoy them. However, it is extremely important to provide them with critical information about your body.
