According to the CDC, hospital-acquired infections are preventable. For starters, doctors, nurses and patients should wash their hands as frequently as possible. In addition, there is growing advocacy for screening patients for germs that could become hospital-transmitted infections. Several states are considering legislation requiring such screening of patients as they are admitted to the hospital to prevent the spread of hospital infections.

How is a hospital infection acquired?

Specifically, central-line bloodstream infections occur when germs like bacteria or viruses enter the bloodstream through a central line. A central line is a catheter tube that has been placed in a main vein in the neck, chest or groin to administer medications or food. Many patients will receive a central line catheter during their stay at the hospital.

Likewise, about 15 to 25 percent of people admitted to the hospital receive a urinary catheter. Of that percentage, nearly 75 percent of patients with a catheter contract a urinary tract infection while in the hospital. Similar to a central line bloodstream infection, a catheter-related urinary tract infection occurs when germs enter the urinary tract. Usually, the infection starts upon catheter insertion or while it sits in the bladder.

Similarly, a surgical-site infection occurs where the surgery has taken place and is caused by germs entering the surgical area. Sometimes, a surgical site infection can be on the skin, and other times it can be internal, in places like the organs and implanted materials. Surgical-site infections are one of the most dangerous types of hospital infections because recovery can be inhibited as the body fights an infection while healing.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia develops in the lungs and occurs when germs enter the ventilator, causing sickness. Because a ventilator tube is necessary to help certain patients breathe, ventilator-related Pneumonia is rather serious. Just like the other three infection types, ventilator-associated pneumonia is treated with antibiotics.  

Who is at risk for a hospital infection?

With so many hospital infections occurring each year in the U.S., you may be concerned about your risk for hospital infections, especially if you are going to be or have been admitted to a hospital. Additional worry might occur if you have had a central line or urinary catheter, surgery or a ventilator while you were in the hospital. Commonly, every patient admitted to the hospital has the chance of contracting a hospital infection.