Dorothy FarrarNosocomial Infection
A nosocomial infection is a disease caused by pathogens found in the hospital. Urinary and respiratory infections are particularly common. Treatment is sometimes difficult because many of the strains are resistant to common antibiotics.
What is nosocomial infection?
A nosocomial infection is an infection acquired in a hospital or care setting. Infectious diseases that appear no earlier than three days after admission to a healthcare facility are defined as nosocomial infections. Hospital infections are a major problem for hospitals and can lead to serious complications. Many of the causative agents of such an infection are difficult to treat because they have developed resistance to common drugs. Around half a million patients are affected in Germany every year.
causes
A hospital infection can have a variety of causes. Infection is often caused by poor hygiene. This is favored by the high time and work pressure on the staff. If hygiene measures such as hand disinfection are not followed in healthcare facilities, hospital germs can be transmitted to patients. The weakened immune system of many patients plays a further role; this makes them more susceptible to pathogens.In addition, there are many sick people in the hospital in a comparatively small space, which promotes the spread of pathogens. In addition, nosocomial infection can be caused by contaminated medical equipment. It is not uncommon for the cause of a hospital infection to be due to the fact that modern medical devices are used to support the body in its functions.
At the same time, these important and often life-saving measures create an entry point for pathogens. This is particularly often the case with catheters or ventilators. A nosocomial infection is particularly dangerous when it involves resistant and stubborn microorganisms that do not respond to the usual medication.
symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of nosocomial infection:
The symptoms of a hospital infection depend on the type of pathogen and the location of the infection. The most common nosocomial infections include urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections are usually caused by inserted urinary catheters, which represent an entry point for microorganisms. Characteristic symptoms such as pain when urinating, fever or blood in the urine occur.
In addition to urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections are among the most common infections acquired in hospital. Typical symptoms are pain when breathing, fever, shortness of breath, cough and a pronounced feeling of illness. Hospital infections are particularly feared because they are often associated with severe courses. The length of stay in the hospital is prolonged by the infection and the healing process is impaired. If the course of a nosocomial infection is particularly severe, the patient’s life is in acute danger.
Many of the pathogen strains are resistant to common antibiotics and are difficult to combat. These include, inter alia, so-called MRSA infections or ESBL infections . Both terms refer to types of bacteria that have developed resistance to many antibiotics . Another typical symptom of a nosocomial infection is sepsis . Microorganisms enter the bloodstream, causing a severe immune system response .
Diagnose
In general, nosocomial infection is characterized by occurring at least 72 hours after the patient is admitted to an appropriate facility. In this case, it can be assumed that the infection took place in the hospital or nursing facility. In the further course of the diagnosis, it is determined which infection is present and which pathogens are involved. This is important in order to initiate adequate treatment. In the case of resistant strains, the exact pathogen must be proven in the laboratory.
treatment and therapy
A large proportion of hospital infections are caused by bacteria. For this reason, it is usually treated with antibiotics. Therapy is often more difficult in the case of a nosocomial infection because some of the pathogens have developed resistance to antibiotics over time. In these cases, the drugs have no effect and the course of the disease worsens. To prevent this, the exact pathogen should always be determined in the laboratory.
It is relatively easy to determine on nutrient media whether a culture of microorganisms is sensitive to an antibiotic or whether resistance has already been established. Combination therapy has proven to be efficient for multidrug-resistant strains. Several antibiotics are administered together; this increases the chances that the bacteria can be rendered harmless.
If there is a respiratory infection, bronchial lavage may be done. The lungs are rinsed with sterile Ringer’s solution; this serves diagnostic purposes on the one hand, but is also used as therapy. If a nosocomial infection is present, an individual therapy plan must be developed depending on the pathogen.
prevention
Nosocomial infections can be prevented by targeted measures. Regular hand washing should be part of everyday life for both patients in healthcare facilities and nursing staff. Many infections can be prevented simply by washing your hands.In addition, caregivers should sanitize their hands prior to contact with a new patient to prevent the spread of pathogens from one patient to the next. In addition to personal hygiene, the cleanliness of the hospital environment is of paramount importance. Medical instruments and equipment should be disinfected before each patient.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.