HOSPITAL AND HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS: IMPORTANCE OF HYGIENE

Abstract

Hospital and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain one of the most persistent challenges to  safe patient care. Patients enter hospitals to receive treatment, yet exposure   to microorganisms can  sometimes lead to infections that were not present or incubating when care began. These infections  increase suffering, prolong hospital stays, raise costs, complicate treatment, and can contribute to  antimicrobial  resistance.  Although  modern  hospitals  use  sophisticated  diagnostic  and  therapeutic  technologies, basic hygiene remains one of the most dependable foundations of infection prevention.  Hand  hygiene,  environmental  cleaning,  safe  use  of  personal  protective  equipment,  appropriate reprocessing of reusable equipment, respiratory hygiene, safe injection practices, linen and waste  management,  and  reliable  water,  sanitation  and  hygiene  services  work  together  rather  than  in  isolation.