title: Health-care-associated infections and prevention.
abstract: Health-care-associated infections (HAIs) are an important cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Currently, one out of every 10 surgical patients develops an HAI. Causes of HAIs vary, but include the transient immunodeficiency associated with surgery,immobility, and the presence of indwelling devices. With rates of antimicrobial resistance increasing, prevention remains the best solution. The investigators review the most frequently encountered health-care-associated infections with an emphasis on preventative strategies. The article addresses issues related to the diagnosis,treatment, and prevention of health-care-related pneumonia,health-care-associated urinary tract infections, and intravascular-catheter-related infections. The article also discusses the utility of hand hygiene policies.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Infectious Disease Laboratory, PO Box 801380, Department of Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA. th8q@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Traci L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Hedrick
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Sawyer
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017053:Infection Control / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000592:standards; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents