Persistence of Healthcare-Associated (Nosocomial) Infections Due to Inadequate Hand Hygiene: Part 1—Biological and Treatment Factors

• 作者: Joseph V. Pergolizzi Robert B. Raffa Robert Rodenbeck Robert Taylor Sanjib Choudhuri
• 来源期刊: 药理与制药(英文)
• 学科: 医学
• 关键词: Infection NOSOCOMIAL Hospital HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED Hygiene HANDWASHING
• 年，卷（期）: 2018,（8）
• 页码范围: 293-309
• 页数: 17页
• 分类号: R5

摘要

The most frequent adverse event in the healthcare delivery system is acquisition of an infection within a healthcare facility. Since infection control measures are known, simple, and low-cost, we examine why the problem of healthcare-associated infections persists. Hundreds of millions of patients each year are affected by a healthcare-associated infection, with negative medical outcome and financial cost. It is a major public health problem even in countries with advanced healthcare systems. This is a bit perplexing, given that hygienic practices have been known and actively promoted. The objective is to address the question: doesn’t the use of disinfection, sterilization, handwashing, and alcohol rubs prevent the spread of pathogenic organisms? We conclude that the persistent high prevalence of nosocomial infections despite known hygienic practices is attributable to two categories of factors: biological and inherent shortcomings of some practices (considered in Part 1), and human factors (considered in Part 2). A new approach is presented in Part 3.