Nosocomial Infections: A Review Article

Nosocomial infections are a major threat to the patients' safety in any health-care facility. However, the prevalence is higher in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) than other areas of the hospital. A study by the international nosocomial infection control consortium found that the rates of hospital-acquired infections in India were higher than the statistics provided by the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Overcrowded hospitals with poor infrastructure, lack of basic hygiene, low healthcare professionals to patient ratio, inappropriate usage of invasive devices and antibiotics, and lack of regulation enforcement contributes to nosocomial infections-associated deaths in India. In spite of awareness campaigns, the prevalence of nosocomial infections remains high in India. A recent study found 143 strains of Acinetobacter in a tertiary hospital in India, of which, 126 (88.1%) were extremely drug resistant. Risk factors for hospital-acquired infections include older age, immunosuppression, longer hospital stays etc. , About one third of nosocomial infections can be regarded as avoidable. Routine surveillance of nosocomial infections and multiresistant pathogens, feedback of data to all personnel involved in patient care, and routine educational activities in this field are the crucial elements for achieving high compliance with the most important infection control measures.