Question

Although nosocomial bacteremias only account for a small proportion of HAIs (~5%) why are they so important to health care workers such as doctors and nurses and to patients? [3 marks]

Answer 1

NOSOCOMIAL BACTEREMIAS

Nosocomial infections are also called health care associated infections. These infections are acquired during the hospitalization.The causes of nosocomial infections are bacteria,virus and fungal parasites. The most common organisms associated with nosocomial bacteremias are staphylococci aureus,E coli, Methicillin -resistant staphylococcus aureus,Klebesiella . The common nosocomial infections are catheter associated urinary tract infections,ventilator associated pneumonia,central line associated blood stream infections and surgical site infections

Unhygienic environment serves as the main source for the pathogens.Air,water and food can get contaminated and can transmitted to the patient during hospital stay.Then transmission of organisms may happen to the health care workers during the treatment through direct contact with those patients. Viruses can be transmitted through hand- mouth,respiratory route and fecal-oral-route.Hepatitis is the chronic viral nosocomial infection.During hospitaliztion these hepatitis viruses are transmitted to patients and health care workers.

Nosocomial bacteriams not only bring burden to the patient but also to the health care workers.Hospital acquired infections increases the medical expenses as well as the duration of hospitalization to the patient.This leads to extra economic burden to the patient.These infections also transmitted to other patients. This may lead to increase in the mortality and morbidity of the hospitalized patients.Health care workers are directly handling the patient. The transmission of organsims can happen from the health care workers to patients as well as to others.Presence of infection causes lack of immunity in patients and health care workers ,which affects their health.

By following proper infection control measures, proper hand hygiene, proper cleaning of equipments  and maintaining the environment clean can prevent and control the nosocomial infections.