Cross infection

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In health care, a cross infection, also called a hospital infection or a nosocomial infection, is "any infection which a patient contracts in a health-care institution."[1]

Examples include ventilator-associated pneumonia, surgical site infections, and infections of indwelling catheters, such as central venous catheters and urinary catheters.

Important microbes are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile.

Prevention

Prevention of cross infections is a priority of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).

  • From the IHI 100,000 Lives Campaign[2][3]
    • "Prevent Central Line Infections…by implementing a series of interdependent, scientifically grounded steps called the "Central Line Bundle"."
    • "Prevent Surgical Site Infections…by reliably delivering the correct perioperative antibiotics at the proper time." Significant reduction may be achieved by procedures as simple as proper hand washing, use of clippers rather than razors to shave the site of surgery, or prompt administration of antibiotics following surgery.[4][5]
    • "Prevent Ventilator-AssociatedPneumonia…by implementing a series of interdependent, scientifically grounded steps including the 'Ventilator Bundle'."
  • From the IHI 5 Million Lives Campaign:[6][7] [8]
    • "Reduce Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection…by reliably implementing scientifically proven infection control practices."

Clinical practice guidelines address the prevention of cross infections.[9]

References

  1. Anonymous (2024), Cross infection (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  2. Berwick DM, Calkins DR, McCannon CJ, Hackbarth AD (2006). "The 100,000 lives campaign: setting a goal and a deadline for improving health care quality". JAMA 295 (3): 324–7. DOI:10.1001/jama.295.3.324. PMID 16418469. Research Blogging.
  3. Institute for Healthcare Improvement: Overview of the 100,000 Lives Campaign. Retrieved on 2008-01-03.
  4. “Status Quon’t”, IHI’s 2007 Progress Report (PDF file)
  5. "Nosocomial Infection: Approach to Postoperative Symptoms of Infection", From ACS Surgery Online, Posted 06/07/2006, E. Patchen Dellinger, M.D., F.A.C.S.
  6. Institute for Healthcare Improvement: Campaign. Retrieved on 2008-01-03.
  7. "Overview of the 5 Million Lives Campaign"
  8. "IHI Launches National Initiative to Reduce Medical Harm in U.S. Hospitals, Builds on 100,000 Lives Campaign" Infection Control Today, December 12, 2006
  9. Yokoe, Deborah S.; Leonard A. Mermel, Deverick J. Anderson, Kathleen M. Arias, Helen Burstin, David P. Calfee, Susan E. Coffin, Erik R. Dubberke, Victoria Fraser, Dale N. Gerding, Frances A. Griffin, Peter Gross, Keith S. Kaye, Michael Klompas, Evelyn Lo, Jonas Marschall, Lindsay Nicolle, David A. Pegues, Trish M. Perl, Kelly Podgorny, Sanjay Saint, Cassandra D. Salgado, Robert A. Weinstein, Robert Wise, David Classen (2008-10-01). "Executive Summary: A Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals". Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 29 (s1): S12-S21. DOI:10.1086/591060. Retrieved on 2008-10-10. Research Blogging.