Health Care Infections
Introduction The purpose of this research paper is to evaluate Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI), a common complication of hospital care and one of the top leading causes of death in the United States. The paper will explore the current issues of HAI, the problem examined, the significance, and what methods are currently being implemented to reduce the problem.
Problem Background
The challenge that many hospital facilities are facing is how to avoid HAIs while treating patients for medical conditions. HAIs are infections caused by a variety of common bacteria, fungi and viruses that spread during the course of patients receiving medical care (“Enhancing Patient,” p. 118). They can also occur during the course of receiving treatment at home. Morbidity and Mortality are enormous issues associated with HAIs as 10 percent of all hospital admissions are complicated by these infections in both the United States and Western Europe. Just in the United States alone, an estimated 1.7-2 million people develop an HAI per year, killing nearly 100,000 people; based on these estimates, HAIs are considered as one of the top 10 leading deaths in the United States (“Enhancing Patient,” p. 118). Hospital-related HAIs alone are responsible for more than $30 billion dollars in preventable healthcare expenses yearly and are largely preventable and can be drastically reduced to save lives and avoid excessive costs (Wright, 2012, p. 8). The results of HAIs have not only left a tangible toll on the healthcare system, but it has also played a significant role in the loss of consumer confidence in the healthcare system. In response to this problem consumer advocacy groups, federal and state governments and health professionals have stepped up the pressure to make reduction of HAIs a national priority (“Enhancing Patient,” p. 118).
Now that we understand the issue of HAIs, this paper will address methods to help reduce the problem. The following literature review will analyze
Problem Background
The challenge that many hospital facilities are facing is how to avoid HAIs while treating patients for medical conditions. HAIs are infections caused by a variety of common bacteria, fungi and viruses that spread during the course of patients receiving medical care (“Enhancing Patient,” p. 118). They can also occur during the course of receiving treatment at home. Morbidity and Mortality are enormous issues associated with HAIs as 10 percent of all hospital admissions are complicated by these infections in both the United States and Western Europe. Just in the United States alone, an estimated 1.7-2 million people develop an HAI per year, killing nearly 100,000 people; based on these estimates, HAIs are considered as one of the top 10 leading deaths in the United States (“Enhancing Patient,” p. 118). Hospital-related HAIs alone are responsible for more than $30 billion dollars in preventable healthcare expenses yearly and are largely preventable and can be drastically reduced to save lives and avoid excessive costs (Wright, 2012, p. 8). The results of HAIs have not only left a tangible toll on the healthcare system, but it has also played a significant role in the loss of consumer confidence in the healthcare system. In response to this problem consumer advocacy groups, federal and state governments and health professionals have stepped up the pressure to make reduction of HAIs a national priority (“Enhancing Patient,” p. 118).
Now that we understand the issue of HAIs, this paper will address methods to help reduce the problem. The following literature review will analyze