A comprehensive review on prevention and management of hospital-acquired infections: Current strategies and best practices

Abstract

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a significant global public health issue, impacting millions of patients annually. Another name for HAIs is nosocomial infections (NI).These infections arise from illnesses that patients contract while they are in the hospital and can have major negative effects on their health, such as increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, or even death. The rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has only added to the complexity and severity of HAIs. Healthcare facilities need to take a thorough, evidence-based strategy to HAI prevention and control in order to solve this issue. This entails carrying out evidence-based procedures, like cleaning the environment, using the proper antimicrobial agents, and practicing hand hygiene, in addition to continuously assessing and evaluating their HAI prevention program. Improving patient outcomes, cutting healthcare costs, and preserving public confidence in the healthcare system all depend on lowering the prevalence of HAIs. Improvements in hospital epidemiological surveillance, infection control practices, and the implementation of HAI prevention guidelines should lead to a decrease in the frequency of morbidity and mortality. Nonetheless, HAIs continue to be a major worry for high-risk populations.