Hospital acquired infection

1. ABSTRACTHospital-acquired infections (HAIs), also called healthcare-associated infections, are infections that develop during healthcare delivery and were not present or incubating at the time of admission. They remain an important patient-safety problem because they can prolong hospital stay, increase healthcare costs, cause disability and contribute to antimicrobial resistance. HAIs include surgical-site infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, hospital-acquired pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia and healthcare-associated bloodstream infections. The risk is influenced by invasive procedures, devices, surgery, prolonged hospitalization, immunosuppression, inadequate hand hygiene and environmental contamination. WHO identifies infection prevention and control (IPC) as an essential component of safe, quality healthcare, while CDC recommends Standard Precautions for all patient care. Evidence-based IPC measures include hand hygiene, appropriate personal protective equipment, aseptic technique, safe injection practices, environmental cleaning, sterilization and disinfection, surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship. This paper reviews the major types, causes, risk factors, transmission routes and prevention strategies for HAIs, with particular emphasis on the role of Operation Theatre Technology personnel in preventing surgical infections.