Many obstacles still remain when it comes to saving patients and giving them the best treatment outcomes possible in the field of medicine. One of the major limitations to receiving supreme healthcare is the potential for exposure to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) within hospital and acute healthcare centers. HAIs are a significant issue, with the four main types being Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI), Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI), Surgical Site Infection (SSI), and Ventilator-associated Pneumonia (VAP) (CDC, 2013). In the United States, healthcare-associated infections lead to around 75,000 deaths annually (Magill, 2014). These infections also have a considerable economic impact, with over 9.8 billion dollars associated with the treatment and hospitalizations of patients who acquired these infections (Zimlichman et al., 2013).
The elimination of HAIs is possible and contingent upon the enforcement of stricter guidelines for prescribing antibiotics, establishing new standards on a federal level to ensure that smaller institutions and states have sufficient protocols, proper surveillance, and monitoring techniques, and influencing many stakeholders to implore more transparency and culpability.
Epidemiology has played a crucial role in the identification of the source and cause of many diseases in the medical field. More specifically, descriptive and analytical studies have been used to identify the source of healthcare-associated infections. One of the first healthcare professionals credited with discovering that patients could have diseases transmitted to them by medical providers was Ignaz Semmelweis, an Austrian obstetrician (Noakes et al., 2008). By using epidemiologic analysis, Semmelweis was able to note that patients cared for by specific medical care providers had higher rates of maternal and infant mortality, despite receiving the same treatment methods. He observed that the physicians’ hands and scalpels contained the same microorganisms transmitted to the patients and implemented chlorinated lime handwashing in their clinic by all staff members (Noakes et al., 2008). Though initially discounted by the medical establishment, Semmelweis’s discoveries, when proved by the germ theory and Koch’s postulates, led to increased hand hygiene, a major decrease in mortality rates, and the first description of HAIs (Noakes et al., 2008).
Over 160 years later, many obstacles still remain in saving patients and providing them with the best treatment outcomes in the field of medicine. In addition to the natural progression of diseases and poor prognosis, one of the major limitations to receiving supreme healthcare is the potential for exposure to healthcare-associated infections within hospital and acute healthcare centers. With the added use of technology and medical tools, there comes the added potential for the devices used in medical practices to be improperly cleaned, stored, sanitized, or exposed to infections.
A healthcare-associated infection, also known as a nosocomial or hospital infection, is defined as a disease obtained while being treated or while residing in a healthcare setting, without the prior existence of this illness (Horan, Andrus, Dudeck, 2008). It can be procured in various ways, including during hospital or center admission, in surgery, in a hemodialysis unit, or while at the facility prior to dismissal. The four main types of healthcare-associated infections are Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI), Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI), Surgical Site Infection (SSI), and Ventilator-associated Pneumonia (VAP) (CDC, 2013).
Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) are contracted within a central line of a catheter. When the catheter is placed within a patient’s large vein for blood draws or to administer fluids and medicines, they are exposed to various infections with direct access to their bloodstream. Due to the fact that these lines are inserted within clinical settings and can be left in place for days, weeks, or months, patients are often at a high risk for a serious infection. In addition to the high incidence of these infections, it is often hard to obtain proper surveillance data because they may be underreported, being erroneously attributed to other infections (Thompson et al., 2013).
Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) occur when a urinary catheter is placed into a patient’s bladder through the urethra to drain urine. If the catheter remains in place for an extended period, bacteria can enter the urinary tract, leading to infection. These infections are not only painful but can also lead to severe complications such as kidney infections if not treated promptly.
Surgical Site Infections (SSI) develop in the part of the body where surgery was performed. These infections can be superficial, involving only the skin, or more serious, involving tissues under the skin, organs, or implanted material. Proper surgical techniques and post-operative care are critical in minimizing the risk of SSIs. Despite rigorous protocols, SSIs remain a significant problem in hospitals, contributing to prolonged hospital stays and increased healthcare costs.
Ventilator-associated Pneumonia (VAP) is another serious infection that affects patients who require mechanical ventilation. This type of pneumonia occurs when pathogens enter the lungs through the ventilator. Preventing VAP involves strict adherence to hygiene protocols, regular monitoring, and appropriate management of the ventilator equipment.
Ultimately, these preventable infections result in thousands of deaths and billions of dollars in disease burden attributed to the U.S. healthcare system (Thompson et al., 2013). Despite the incredible strides that have been made as a result of surveillance, ongoing research is needed to address the reliability and validity of the surveillance data to prevent future infections (Pronovost, Needham, Berenholtz, 2006). By continuously improving data collection and analysis methods, healthcare providers can identify trends and develop strategies to mitigate the risk of HAIs.
In conclusion, while the field of medicine has made remarkable progress in understanding and addressing healthcare-associated infections, significant challenges remain. Continued efforts in research, surveillance, and the implementation of stringent infection control measures are essential to reduce the incidence of HAIs. By fostering a culture of transparency and accountability among healthcare providers and institutions, the goal of eliminating HAIs can become more attainable. Reducing the burden of these infections will not only save lives but also alleviate the economic strain on the healthcare system, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and improved public health.