Patients visit hospitals and other medical care facilities to address health issues and receive treatment. Unfortunately, the exact environment designed to support their health can sometimes expose them to infections that make them more ill. Infectious disease experts play a crucial role in managing healthcare-associated infections, which are a known risk of being in a healthcare setting and can pose serious problems for both patients and their care teams.
Read on to learn about healthcare associated infections (HAIs), including their causes, symptoms, prevention, and when an HAI is grounds for medical malpractice claims.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant concern in healthcare settings, affecting millions of patients worldwide. These infections are acquired while receiving medical care in a healthcare facility and can be caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are infections that develop during — or soon after — a patient gets treatment in a medical setting. These infections can range from mild to life threatening. HAIs have a major impact on both affected patients and the healthcare system as a whole. Patients may suffer serious health complications, resulting in longer hospital stays and additional medical treatments. Hospitals bear an overall direct cost from HAIs that ranges from US$28 to $45 billion.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on any given day, one out of every 31 hospital patients contracts an HAI. For residents of nursing homes, the rate is one in 43. Patients in surgical centers, dialysis facilities, and other settings are also at risk of HAIs. HAIs can have serious consequences, including emotional stress, financial and medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and even death.
The importance of infection control measures, antimicrobial stewardship, and patient education cannot be overstated in the fight against HAIs. Effective infection control measures help prevent the spread of infections within healthcare facilities. Antimicrobial stewardship ensures the appropriate use of antibiotics, reducing the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Patient education and empowerment enable patients to take an active role in their care, further reducing the risk of HAIs. By focusing on these areas, healthcare settings can significantly reduce the incidence of HAIs and improve patient outcomes. Monitoring nosocomial infection rates is crucial to improve patient safety and reduce healthcare costs associated with prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality.
Many types of healthcare associated infections exist, though some are more common than others. Some key HAIs for patients and healthcare providers to be aware of include the following:
Healthcare associated infections are caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that spread in a healthcare setting. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of staph bacteria that can be resistant to many antibiotics, is one of the most common causes of HAIs. Another bacteria of note is Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), which causes about half a million HAIs yearly.
Risk factors such as older age, the presence of multiple underlying comorbidities, and prolonged hospitalization can significantly elevate the risk of these infections among patients, particularly those in intensive care units.
The pathogens that cause HAIs can spread through the air, through droplets released by coughs or sneezes, or through direct contact with healthcare workers or contaminated environments. Some of the factors that may put patients at higher risk of contracting an HAI include:
A wide variety of healthcare associated infections exist, so the signs and symptoms of HAIs can vary depending on the specific infection a patient develops.
Some common symptoms of HAIs include:
Doctors may suspect a patient has a healthcare associated infection if the patient presents with symptoms like those listed above. They will likely ask detailed questions about the patient’s symptoms and perform a comprehensive physical exam to confirm the diagnosis.
Laboratory testing plays a vital role in diagnosing infections. Depending on the type of HAI the physician suspects, they may order blood tests, urine tests, stool tests, or sputum (phlegm) tests. Laboratory analysis of samples can determine which pathogens are present, if any.
Research shows that as many as 70% of HAIs could be prevented with evidence-based control methods. Some of the standard methods that hospitals and other healthcare facilities use to protect patients from infections include:
Hospital staff can improve patient safety and reduce the spread of infections by adhering to their employer’s infection prevention and control requirements.
Since contamination of healthcare workers’ hands is a significant cause of HAI spread, one of their most important responsibilities is practicing good hand hygiene. Many healthcare workers are already prioritizing hand hygiene, but there is room for improvement with hand washing compliance hovering around 50% at U.S. hospitals.
Another critical responsibility for healthcare workers is pursuing continuing education to stay up-to-date on HAI prevention best practices. Many organizations offer infection prevention courses for healthcare providers, including the CDC.
Infection control measures are crucial in preventing the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). These measures include hand hygiene, sterilization, and isolation protocols. Hand hygiene is the most important practice in preventing HAIs. Healthcare workers should wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub before and after interacting with patients. This simple yet effective practice can significantly reduce the transmission of infectious agents.
Sterilization of equipment and surfaces is also essential in preventing the spread of HAIs. All medical equipment that comes into contact with body tissues or fluids must be thoroughly sterilized to kill any potential pathogens. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of patient areas, including floors, beds, doorknobs, and other surfaces, can lower the rates of HAIs.
Isolation protocols, such as placing patients with infectious diseases in private rooms, can help prevent the spread of HAIs. Healthcare facilities should have policies in place for the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and masks, to prevent the spread of infections. By adhering to these infection control measures, healthcare workers can protect patients and themselves from HAIs.
Antimicrobial stewardship is a critical component of infection control measures. It involves the appropriate use of antibiotics to prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Healthcare providers should only prescribe antibiotics when necessary and should choose the most effective antibiotic for the specific infection. This targeted approach helps minimize the risk of developing multidrug-resistant infections.
Healthcare facilities should have policies in place for monitoring and reporting antibiotic use and resistance. This can help prevent the spread of multidrug-resistant infections, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). By implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs, healthcare providers can ensure the responsible use of antibiotics, ultimately reducing the incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and improving patient outcomes.
Patient education and empowerment are essential in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Patients and their families should be educated on the risks of HAIs and the steps they can take to prevent them. This includes practicing good hand hygiene, avoiding unnecessary use of antibiotics, and speaking up if they have concerns about their care.
Patients should be empowered to ask questions and seek clarification on their care, including the use of medical devices and the administration of antibiotics. By educating and empowering patients, healthcare facilities can reduce the risk of HAIs and improve patient outcomes. Providing patients with the knowledge and tools to take an active role in their care is a crucial step in preventing HAIs.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) can have a significant impact on patient outcomes, including increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. According to the CDC, an estimated 75,000 patients will die each year due to HAIs. These infections can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased risk of complications, and decreased quality of life.
The economic burden of HAIs on healthcare facilities is substantial, with estimated costs ranging from $28 to $45 billion annually. By implementing effective infection control measures, healthcare facilities can reduce the risk of HAIs and improve patient outcomes. This includes reducing the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
Prioritizing patient safety and infection prevention is essential for providing high-quality care and reducing the risk of HAIs. By focusing on these areas, healthcare facilities can improve patient outcomes and reduce the financial burden associated with HAIs.
Suing a physician or healthcare provider for a healthcare associated infection is an option. However, merely contracting an HAI in the hospital doesn’t mean a patient has been a victim of medical negligence or errors, and can thus sue their physician. Bad outcomes sometimes happen, without anyone being at fault. For an HAI to be grounds for a medical malpractice case, four elements must be present:
Patients have successfully filed HAI medical malpractice suits in the past, and some have been awarded significant judgments. For example, in 2023, a New York jury awarded a man $250,000 after finding he was mistakenly prescribed an antibiotic that caused him to develop a C. diff infection. The same year, a Michigan jury awarded almost $10 million to the estate of a woman who developed a surgical wound infection and later passed away.
Finally, please note, while laws vary from place to place, keep in mind it is likely any lawsuit for an HAI will need to be filed before the local statute of limitations expires.
Insurance helps protect physicians and other medical professionals if a patient files an HAI-related medical malpractice lawsuit. It helps cover the legal costs of defending a medical malpractice claim, including attorney, court, and expert witness fees.
Medical malpractice insurance also helps cover the costs of settling a lawsuit. That could include the cost of an out-of-court settlement or the cost of court-awarded damages following a trial. This crucial coverage helps protect physicians’ personal finances and the finances of their practice.
When communicating with patients about HAIs, it’s essential to be clear and transparent. Start by explaining what HAIs are in layman’s terms, and encourage the patient to ask questions if there’s anything they don’t understand.
Be honest about the potential risks of HAIs in healthcare settings to ensure the patient can make an informed decision about their treatment. However, be sure to reassure the patient about the infection control procedures that are in place to help reduce the risk.
Patients have a role to play in preventing HAIs. Empower your patients with the knowledge to perform proper hand hygiene while in the hospital, and to recognize common signs of HAIs so they can seek prompt treatment. Emphasize the critical role of washing hands as a primary method to reduce the transmission of infections within healthcare settings.
Patient education materials, such as brochures or fact sheets, may help address HAI concerns with patients. Physicians can also suggest reputable online resources, such as government websites like CDC.gov and MedlinePlus.gov.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that HAIs are often preventable but present a potentially serious risk of harm to patients. By focusing on awareness and prevention, healthcare facilities can promote a culture of patient safety and reduce the threat of HAIs. Physicians should consider taking advantage of the risk management resources offered by their medical malpractice provider.
Indigo is a revolutionary medical malpractice insurance provider that helps physicians get the coverage they need, at the price they deserve. With the power of AI, physicians receive pricing tailored to their practice and easy access to coverage. Physicians also enjoy access to a third-party risk management helpline to receive confidential advice about managing the risk of HAI lawsuits.
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