Infections in hospital - reduce the risk

All hospitals have infection control procedures and policies and staff take every precaution to avoid infections. However the risk of infection can never be completely eliminated and some patients have a higher risk of acquiring an infection than others.

Lung, wound, urinary tract and bloodstream infections can be picked up during a stay in hospital. These are called hospital-acquired infections or HAI. They are also known as nosocomial infections. There are things you can do before and during your stay in hospital that will help reduce the chance of picking up extra infections.

Infection
An infection is a disease caused by micro-organisms like viruses, fungi, bacteria or parasites. These micro-organisms are often called ‘bugs’ or ‘germs’. Bacteria are the most common cause of HAI.

Hospital infections
HAI usually occurs two to three days after admission to hospital. These infections occur at a cost to the community and the patient because they cause:

• Illness to the patient
• Longer stay in hospital
• Longer recovery time
• Costs associated with a longer stay in hospital and longer recovery time.

• Very young people - premature babies and very sick children
• Very old people - the frail and the elderly
• Those with medical conditions - such as diabetes
• People with defective immunity - people with diseases that compromise their immune system or people who are being treated with chemotherapy or steroids.

• Length of stay - a long hospital stay can increase the risk: for example, admission for complex or multiple illnesses.
• Operations and surgical procedures - the length and type of surgery can also impact.
• Hand washing techniques - inadequate hand washing by hospital staff and patients may increase your risk.
• Antibiotics - overuse of antibiotics can lead to resistant bacteria, which means that antibiotics become less effective.
• Equipment - invasive procedures can introduce infection into the body: for example, procedures that require the use of equipment such as urinary catheters, IV drips and infusions, respiratory equipment and drain tubes.
• Wounds - wounds, incisions (surgical cuts), burns and ulcers are all prone to infection.
• High-risk areas - some areas of the hospital are more likely to have infection, such as intensive care units (ICU) and high dependency units (HDU).

• Urinary tract infections (UTI)
• Wound infection
• Pneumonia (lung infection)
• Bloodstream infection.

• Staphylococcus aureus - often called ‘golden staph’ or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
• Resistant Enterococcus - also referred to as vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).

• Strict hospital infection control procedures and policies
• Correct and frequent hand washing by all hospital staff and patients
• Cautious use of antibiotic medication.

• Stop smoking - smoking can interfere with healing processes. It also damages the airways, which can make lung infections more likely.
• Maintain a healthy weight - people who are overweight are more prone to infection.
• Inform your doctor of all existing or recent illness - a cold or the flu can lead to a chest infection, so let your doctor or the hospital staff know if you are not well.
• Manage diabetes - if you are a diabetic, make sure that your blood sugar levels are under control.

• Make sure that you wash your hands properly, especially after using the toilet. Remind hospital staff to do the same before and after they attend to you.
• Let your nurse know if the site around the needle is not clean and dry if you have an IV drip.
• Tell your nurse if the dressings are not clean, dry and attached around any wounds you may have.
• Let your nurse know if tubes or catheters feel displaced.
• Do your deep breathing exercises - the staff will instruct you. This is very important because they can help prevent a chest infection.
• Ask relatives or friends who have colds or are unwell not to visit.

• Isolation in a single room
• Being put last on the operation surgery list
• Being nursed by staff wearing gloves and gowns.

• Hospital infection control department
• Your nursing staff
• Your doctor

• There are things you can do before and during your stay in hospital that will help reduce the chance of you getting an infection.
• Common types of hospital-acquired infections are chest infections, wound infections, urinary infections and bloodstream infections.
• Some people are more susceptible to hospital infections than others.

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