special subjects
Hospital Acquired Infections
Introduction
People who are admitted to the hospital are at risk of acquiring an infection there. Such infections are called nosocomial infections. In the United States, approximately 4 to 5% of people who are hospitalized get a nosocomial infection, and approximately 75,000 of these people die each year. (See also Problems Due to Hospitalization .) The risk of infection is higher for Infants Older adults People with a weakened immune system People who have invasive medical devices such as intravenous catheters, urinary drainage catheters, and airway tubes (for assisted breathing on a ventilator) Nosocomial infections may be caused by bacteria or fungi. Bacterial and fungal infections can be dangerous and deadly. Organisms that are acquired in hospitals are often resistant to many common antibiotics. The frequent use of antibiotics in hospitals encourages Antibiotic Resistance to develop. Hospital-acquired infections include Overview of Pneumonia , 