DIRE DAWA UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND
HEALTH SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF psychiatry
ASSIGNMENT TITLE;
DIRE DAWA UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND
HEALTH SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF psychiatry
Assignment of SPH
submitted to
Submission on
Introductions
• Intrahospital infections, also known as healthcare-associated
infections (HAIs) or nosocomial infections, refer to infections
thatpatients acquire during the course of receiving healthcare
treatment in a healthcare facility.
• These infections can occur in various settings within a healthcare
facility, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and other
healthcare settings.
• HAIs are a growing concern due to their impact on patient safety,
treatment outcomes, healthcare costs, and overall public health
Reasons for the Growing Concern:
1. Increased Antibiotic Resistance: Overuse and
misuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of
multidrug-resistant bacteria, making infections harder to
treat.
2. Vulnerable Patient Population: Patients in
healthcare settings are often immuno compromised, making
them more susceptible to infections.
3. High Risk of Transmission: Healthcare facilities
bring together sick individuals, healthcare workers, and
various medical devices, increasing the risk of infection
transmission
Structure of Intra hospital
Infections:
Types:
• Common types of intrahospital infections include
bloodstream infections, pneumonia, surgical site
infections, urinary tract infections, and others.
Pathogens:
• These infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi,
and other microorganisms.
Sites:
• Infections can occur at surgical sites, catheters, respiratory
equipment, and any other point of contact in a healthcare
setting.
Basic Sources and Ways of
Transmission:
Sources
Endogenous sources: Such as the patient's own flora, which can
become opportunistic pathogens in the setting of a weakened
immune system or invasive procedures.
Exogenous sources: Such as healthcare workers, contaminated
equipment or surfaces, other patients, visitors, or the hospital
environment.
Transmission Routes:
• Direct contact: Touching an infected person or contaminated
surface.
• Indirect contact: Contact with a contaminated object or surface.
• Droplet transmission: Respiratory droplets from an infected person
are inhaled by others.
• Airborne transmission: Infectious particles remain suspended in
the air and are inhaled
Prevention of Intrahospital Infections:
• 1. Hand Hygiene: Proper hand hygiene by healthcare
workers and visitors is crucial in preventing the spread of
infections.
• 2. Infection Control Measures: Implementing protocols
for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, equipment, and
patient surroundings.
• 3. Antibiotic Stewardship: Rational use of antibiotics to
prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant infections.
• 4. Isolation Precautions: Implementing isolation
protocols for patients with contagious infections.
• 5. Vaccination: Ensuring healthcare workers are
vaccinated to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable
diseases.
conclusions
• Intra hospital infections are a significant concern due to their
impact on patient morbidity, mortality, healthcare costs, and the
development of antibiotic resistance.
• These infections can arise from endogenous or exogenous sources
and can be transmitted through various routes, including direct and
indirect contact, droplets, and airborne particles.
• Prevention strategies such as hand hygiene, isolation precautions,
environmental cleaning, appropriate use of PPE, antimicrobial
stewardship, education, and vaccination are crucial in reducing the
incidence of intra hospital infections.
• Implementation of these strategies can improve patient safety,
reduce healthcare costs, and mitigate the risk of antibiotic
resistance, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery.
