Current Perspective on Hospital Acquired Infection

Abstract

Health care associated infections (HCAI) are a major complication faced by the healthcare sector leading to high morbidity and mortality. These infections are caused via the persistence of microbial pathogens in the hospital environment for extended periods (weeks to months) on contaminated surfaces. Foodborne illness is another significant source of infection in hospitals due to improper cleaning practices in the food operating sectors. Thus, frequent hygiene monitoring and efficient cleaning practices may reduce the rate of hospital-acquired infections. Contamination detection by traditional microbiological techniques is laborious, which has paved the way for the development of rapid biotechnological testing kits such as the ATP bioluminescence assay, which can be used as a rapid indicator of contamination.