Hospital-Acquired Complications (HACs)
What are the most common HACs?
There are many potential sources of healthcare-associated infections (HACs). In general, HACs can be divided into two main categories: those that are acquired in the healthcare setting and those that are acquired outside of the healthcare setting.
The most common HACs are those that are acquired in the healthcare setting. These include infections that occur as a result of invasive procedures, such as surgery, and those that occur due to contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment. The most common types of HACs include surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia.
Surgical site infections are the most common type of HAC, accounting for an estimated 20% of all HACs. The majority of surgical site infections are acquired in the operating room, but they can also occur in the post-operative period. The most common types of bacteria that cause surgical site infections are Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Bloodstream infections are the second most common type of HAC, accounting for an estimated 15% of all HACs. These infections can be acquired through contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment, or they can occur as a result of invasive procedures, such as surgery. The most common types of bacteria that cause bloodstream infections are Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Pneumonia is the third most common type of HAC, accounting for an estimated 10% of all HACs. These infections can be acquired in the hospital, in the community, or in long-term care facilities. The most common types of bacteria that cause pneumonia are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.
The most common HACs are those that are acquired in the healthcare setting. However, there are a number of HACs that are acquired outside of the healthcare setting. These include infections that occur as a result of contact with contaminated food or water, or those that occur due to contact with infected animals. The most common types of HACs that are acquired outside of the healthcare setting include norovirus infections and campylobacteriosis.
Norovirus infections are the most common type of HAC that is acquired outside of the healthcare setting. These infections are typically acquired through contact with contaminated food or water. The most common type of norovirus is the Norwalk virus.
Campylobacteriosis is the second most common type of HAC that is acquired outside of the healthcare setting. These infections are typically acquired through contact with infected animals, such as poultry. The most common type of campylobacteriosis is campylobacteriosis jejuni.
How can HACs be prevented?
There are many ways to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HACs). Some are general good practices, such as hand hygiene, while others are specific to certain types of infections.
One of the most important ways to prevent HACs is to practice good hand hygiene. This means washing your hands thoroughly and often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. It’s especially important to wash your hands after coming into contact with any body fluids, such as blood or saliva, and before touching any food or eating.
Another important way to prevent HACs is to practice proper food safety. This means cooking food thoroughly and avoiding cross contamination. Cross contamination is when bacteria or other contaminants are transferred from one food to another. This can happen if you use the same cutting board for raw meat and vegetables, for example. To avoid cross contamination, you should use separate cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables, and wash them thoroughly with hot soapy water after each use.
You can also prevent HACs by getting vaccinated against certain infections, such as influenza. Influenza is a virus that can cause severe respiratory illness, and is a common cause of HACs. The best way to prevent influenza is to get the influenza vaccine every year.
If you have a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, it’s important to manage it properly to help prevent HACs. This means taking your medications as prescribed and attending all of your doctor’s appointments.
If you’re in the hospital, there are some specific things you can do to help prevent HACs. First, make sure your health care team washes their hands before and after caring for you. Second, don’t allow anyone to enter your room who doesn’t need to be there. This includes family and friends. Third, make sure your health care team uses sterile equipment when they care for you. Fourth, if you have a catheter, make sure it’s kept clean and free of infection.
HACs are a serious problem in healthcare, but there are many things you can do to prevent them. By practicing good hand hygiene, proper food safety, and getting vaccinated, you can help keep yourself and others healthy.
What are the consequences of HACs?
There are many consequences of healthcare-associated infections (HACs). First and foremost, HACs can lead to serious illness and even death in patients. In addition, HACs can increase the length of a hospital stay and the cost of care. HACs can also cause emotional distress for patients and their families.
HACs are a major public health problem. Each year, there are an estimated 2 million HACs in the United States. Of these, approximately 99,000 result in death. HACs are associated with an estimated $28 to $33 billion in annual healthcare costs.
The most common types of HACs are bloodstream infections, pneumonia, and surgical site infections. HACs can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Many HACs are preventable through the use of infection control measures.
The best way to prevent HACs is to practice good hand hygiene. This includes washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You should also clean your hands after coming into contact with any potentially contaminated surfaces.
It’s also important to practice good personal hygiene. This includes showering or bathing regularly, and avoiding sharing personal items such as towels, razors, and toothbrushes.
If you’re in the hospital, make sure to ask your healthcare providers about their hand hygiene practices. You can also request that they wear gloves and a gown when entering your room.
If you have a HAC, it’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for treatment. This may include taking antibiotics or other medications. You may also need to have surgery to remove the infected tissue.
HACs are a serious problem, but there are things you can do to help prevent them. By practicing good hand hygiene and personal hygiene, you can help keep yourself and others safe from HACs.