Nosocomial infections — also called healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) — are infections you can get while in a healthcare facility. HAIs may occur after a medical or surgical procedure. They can be mild or life-threatening. You can avoid most nosocomial infections with diligent infection prevention efforts.
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Nosocomial (naa-suh-KOW-mee-uhl) infections (also called healthcare-associated infections, hospital-acquired infections or HAIs) are illnesses you can get at a medical facility while you’re getting treatment for another condition. These infections can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening conditions. HAIs can occur in a variety of settings like hospitals, surgical centers, dialysis clinics and long-term care facilities.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
By definition, HAIs are infections that happen within:
Anyone receiving care at a healthcare facility can get nosocomial infections. But they’re most common in people with compromised immune systems. You can get HAIs from these pathogens (germs):
Most HAIs are avoidable. Yet every year in the United States, more than a half-million patients and healthcare providers get them. To stay safe, it’s important for medical teams and families to work together.
There are several types of nosocomial infections and many reasons why they occur:
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People with HAIs can develop different symptoms depending on the type of infection. Some of the most common nosocomial infection symptoms include:
A variety of pathogens (germs) can cause nosocomial infections. Common examples include:
Nosocomial infections can spread through respiratory droplets when a person sneezes or coughs. They can also occur when healthcare providers don’t follow proper infection control procedures (like sterilization).
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting an illness. You’re more likely to get a nosocomial infection if your treatment involves:
Complications depend on the type and severity of the nosocomial infection. Listed below are the types of HAIs and some of the possible complications:
Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)
Surgical site infection (SSI)
Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
Most of the time, healthcare providers can tell a person has an HAI when they develop symptoms like the ones mentioned above. Early signs may include a skin rash or redness around an incision. Your provider might need to order urinalyses (pee tests) or blood tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
Treatment for HAIs depends on the type of infection. Healthcare providers may use:
Challenges like antibiotic resistance, antiviral resistance and antifungal resistance can sometimes make HAI treatment less effective. Resistance is when pathogens evolve (change) so much that the drugs designed to treat them no longer work. This is one reason HAIs are so difficult to treat.
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Though it’s not always possible, the best treatment for nosocomial infections is prevention.
You can’t prevent every single instance of hospital-acquired infections. But you and your family can take the following steps to significantly reduce your risk:
Many people with HAIs make a full recovery with early diagnosis and treatment. But they also have longer hospital stays and additional obstacles to overcome.
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In some cases, nosocomial infections can cause serious health complications or death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 99,000 people die from healthcare-associated infections each year in American hospitals alone.
You should tell your healthcare provider any time you develop concerning or worsening symptoms — especially if you’re currently under medical care or had recent surgery. If something doesn’t seem right, let your provider know right away so they can recommend appropriate treatment.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
We go to hospitals, surgery centers and healthcare clinics to feel better when we’re sick. But when you get even sicker while under medical care, it can be frustrating, uncertain — maybe a little scary.
Nosocomial infections cause serious complications, yet most HAIs are totally avoidable. We all play an important role in healthcare safety. If you see something that could put you or someone else at risk for an infection, tell your healthcare team.
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Last reviewed on 05/07/2024.
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