Nosocomial infections - Assignment Example

Nosocomial Infections The health sector continues to face various challenges. One of the challenges is the continued occurrence of the nosocomial infections also known as health care- associated infections (HAIs). The infections are noted to be acquired while one is receiving treatment for other diseases in a health care environment (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) 1). Therefore, HAIs can be acquired in any place care is being administered to a patient. Such places a patient may be prone to infection includes hospitals, outpatient settings, and in long-term care facilities (ODPHP 1).

This report will look at various issues related to HAIs. Nosocomial infections have been a problem for many countries of the world. The challenge occurs as majority of countries are unable to put mechanisms to monitor HAIs. However, a number of countries have systems that could help in surveillance of these infections, but they lack a standard way of establishing infections. These challenges make it difficult to quantify information on these types of infections. However, various studies carried out have been able to establish that there are millions of patients that are affected HAIs in different parts of the world (World Health Organization (WHO) 1).

There are worrying statistics concerning these infections in different parts of the world. As noted in the World Health Organization report, HAIs varies between 3.5 and 12 percent in those countries that are perceived as developed (WHO 2). In Europe, the average rate of infections is noted as 7.1 percents. In the region, over four million cases are reported in a very year. On the other hand, the infections have been a serious problem in United States. As it is, about four percent of admitted patients are said to have an infection linked to the hospital care (ODPHP 1).

The infections lead to huge spending in the healthcare sector and also cause death. The infection or have huge consequences to individuals involved. In addition, the effects have been found more common in countries with limited resources as compared to those with more resources (WHO 2). There are common types of these infections that occur in the care environment. The most common are listed as urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, and bloodstream infections (ODPHP 1). However, these infections have been reducing in the recent past due to various initiatives that have been taking place in the healthcare sector.

On the other hand, there are various factors that put the patients at risk of acquiring HAI. The most common is the wrong use of medical equipments such as invasive devices and antibiotics. The other is poor following of the medical procedure in the care environment. Also, it may be caused by failure to observe all standard and isolation precautions (WHO 3). The other causes are linked to limited resources available in the care environment. Some of these may include poor hygiene, lack of enough knowledge on handling of patients, lack of enough staffs and equipments, and the absence of national guidelines and policies (WHO 3).

In conclusion, it is clear nosocomial infections are a challenge in many countries. Therefore, there need to be proper ways of reducing infection.Works CitedOffice of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). “Health Care-Associated Infections (HAIs).” Health.gov. Web. 29 March 2015. World Health Organization (WHO). “Health care-associated infections FACT SHEET.” Who.int. Web. 29 March 2015.