How to Prevent Healthcare Associated Infections

A healthcare-associated infection is an illness caused by germs that enter the body while you receive health care. Germs may be passed through:

• A medical procedure.
• A medical device.
• Contact with an infected person.
• Contact with contaminated surfaces.
• Breathing contaminated air.
• Improper use of antibiotic medicines.

Common types of healthcare-associated infections include:

• Bloodstream infections from IV lines.
• Bacterial infections that do not respond to usual antibiotics, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) from urinary catheters.
• Surgical wound infections.
• Pneumonia from breathing tubes.
• Lower digestive tract infection after taking antibiotics.

Healthcare-associated infections can be serious, because germs in health care settings can be harder to treat than the germs that cause other types of infections. It is important to take steps to prevent these infections.

What puts me at risk for a healthcare-associated infection?

You come into contact with germs any time you receive care in a health care facility. You may be at higher risk for a healthcare-associated infection if:

• Your body’s defense system (immune system) is weak.
• You are older than age 65.
• You smoke.
• You have surgery or a procedure.
• You have an IV tube in a blood vessel that goes close to your heart (central line) and the tube is in place for a long time.
• You have a thin, flexible tube in your bladder (urinary catheter).
• You have a breathing tube and you are on a breathing machine (ventilator).
• You are prescribed the wrong antibiotic or an antibiotic that you do not need.
• You need to take antibiotics for a long time.
• You get treatment at a medical facility that does not follow good infection-control practices.
• You need treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU) or long-term care facility.

What are some ways to prevent healthcare-associated infections?

To reduce your chances of getting a healthcare-associated infection:

• Ask your health care team what steps are being taken to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Make sure your health care providers and any visitors wash their hands before and after they enter your room.
• If you need a central line, urinary catheter, or ventilator, ask how long you will need to have it.
• If you are having surgery, ask if you should shower with an antibacterial soap on the morning or night before your surgery.
• If you are prescribed an antibiotic:
  • Ask your health care provider if you should have testing to make sure it is the right antibiotic.
  • Ask if you really need the antibiotic. Antibiotics are not needed for colds or viral infections.
  • Take the medicine exactly as told by your health care provider.
• Stay up to date on your immunizations. This includes getting a flu shot every year.
• Do not smoke. If you do smoke, stop smoking before you have surgery or other procedures.

Where to find more information

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/hai  
• Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology: http://consumers.site.apic.org/infection-prevention-basics/become-familiar-with-healthcare-associated-infections  

Summary

• A healthcare-associated infection is an illness caused by germs that can be passed to you while you receive medical care.
• You may be at higher risk for this kind of infection if you have a medical procedure, IV tube, breathing tube, or urinary catheter.
• When you receive medical care, ask your health care providers what they are doing to prevent these infections.
• Take steps to reduce your risk of this kind of infection. For instance, wash your hands often and get a flu shot every year.