It’s a strange statement because people come to the hospital precisely because they are sick.  However, since hospitals were invented, medical personnel have had to deal with the dreaded hospital acquired, or nosocomial, infection. 

When a patient is admitted to the hospital, multiple procedures and blood tests determine the cause of the disease process responsible for that admission.  If an infection develops after the patient was admitted than the infection is labeled ‘hospital acquired,’ or nosocomial.  Blood stream infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infections are the most common types of nosocomial infections, but a variety of flu viruses are also a problem, particularly during the flu season.

Nosocomial infections are tracked by the CDC (Center for Disease Control).  Over the past decades a concerted effort has been made by the government as well as hospitals to address this serious issue.  Finally, Medicare/Medicaid funding has been tied to the development of hospital acquired infections in patients.  The government now refuses to pay for bed sores (a common source of infection) and urinary tract infections that develop during a patient’s hospital stay.

The loss of funding has brought about radical changes in how patients are treated.  No longer are Foley catheter (urinary catheters) routinely used for treatment.  Patients are carefully monitored for any hint of skin breakdown and better mattresses which prevent breakdown at pressure points are routinely ordered for ‘at risk’ patients. Also, patients with a past history of MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus, one of the most famous nosocomial infections) now must be placed in a private room until it can be determined that the infection is no longer present.

Still nonsocomial infections remain a constant problem.  The insertion of a urinary catheter or a central IV line, intubation (where a breathing tube is placed the trachea to treat respiratory distress or to administer oxygen during surgery) and surgical procedures are the most common culprits.  Viral, bacterial and fungus pathogens are the major infectious agents.

Some serious hospital acquired infections have developed in Intensive Care Units.  In these units the most severely ill patients are housed, often requiring multiple antibiotics to address life threatening infections.  Over the past decade there has been an increase in the number of patients that continue to live despite catastrophic conditions which would have resulted in death just twenty years ago.  Sophisticated medical procedures and advancements in treatment options have kept these patients alive against all odds.  Unfortunately, the result has been that the bacteria and fungus that thrive in their bodies have become immune to a remarkable number of antibiotics.  These patients are never placed in semi-private rooms when they no longer require intensive care services.  Strict isolation procedures on the general medical/surgical units are always employed in such cases.  However, the patients remain infected and family and friends who visit need to be made aware of the danger of not following isolation precautions.

Hospital acquired infections must be taken seriously by medical staff, patients and visitors.  There are simple rules to follow that can help avoid taking a nosocomial infection home.  First, wash your hands when you come into the hospital and every time you leave or enter a hospital room.  Follow isolation precautions whether you are a patient or a visitor.  Please consider leaving children at home, or if you insist on bringing a child to the hospital never let their hands touch the floor or the hospital bed.  Keep young children on your lap (I am constantly amazed by families that let their babies crawl on the hospital floor). Please do not come to the hospital to visit a patient if you are sick, or you will be the cause of your loved ones nosocomial infection.

Always respect hospital rules and regulations.  We are trying to keep you or your loved ones safe from infections but we need your cooperation to accomplish that task.