title: [Hospital infections. Extended hospital queues and unnecessary costs of the health services].
abstract: In Norway the prevalence of nosocomial infections is 5-20%; more than 50,000 patients per year. The consequences may be serious for the individual patient and his family, a serious problem for the hospital department concerned and a burden on the Norwegian health services. Nosocomial infections can be treated by antimicrobial drugs which generate selective pressure towards more resistant organisms. Infections caused by resistant strains may result in longer hospitalization, more difficult treatment, and more severe illness. In future, efforts must be directed at preventing nosocomial infections by means of education, surveillance and control.
authors.affiliation: Mikrobiologisk avdeling, Regionsykehuset i Tromsø.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D017046:Cost Savings; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D014850:Waiting Lists
vernacular_title: Sykehusinfeksjoner. Forlenger sykehuskøene og skaper unødvendige helseutgifter.