Abstract

REVIEW ARTICLE CLINICAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

G. Bhoomika*, K. Pavithra, K. Mahammad Atif Khan, Dr. S. Parveen*

Abstract

Aim: To assess hospital-acquired infections and their management in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six month. The collected data were entered into Microsoft Office Excel, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Findings: The prevalence of hospital-acquired infections was found to be 6.1%. Among the study participants, 30% were female and 70% were male. Bloodstream infections (BSI) constituted the highest proportion of hospital-acquired infections, followed by hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) (17.20%), respiratory tract infections (RTI) (13.90%), and other types of HAIs. Klebsiellae pneumoniae was identified as the most common causative pathogen (15.46%). Laboratory investigations revealed that the majority of patients had Leukocytosis (61.47%), neutrophilia (59.83%), lymphopenia (78.68%), hyperglycemia (53.3%), and elevated C-reactive protein levels (81.13%). Most patients were treated with antibiotics, including Linezolid (15.98%), Meropenem (17.55%), and other medications Conclusion: Hospital-acquired infections represent a serious challenge for healthcare facilities and are among the most preventable adverse patient outcomes. They significantly contribute to increased mortality rates and healthcare costs. Continuous monitoring of antibiotic resistance, along with evaluation of physicians’ prescribing practices, can form the basis of effective infection control programs in hospitals. Objective: • To assess the prevalence, associated risk factors, and management practices of hospital-acquired infections in a tertiary care hospital setting. • To determine the incidence and distribution of various types of hospital-acquired infections among patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital. • To identify the common causative microorganisms responsible for hospital-acquired infections. • To evaluate the infection control practices implemented by healthcare personnel within the hospital. • To propose evidence-based strategies to enhance the prevention, early detection, and effective management of hospital-acquired infections in a tertiary care hospital.

Keywords: Nosocomial infections, hospital acquired infections (HAI), causative organisms, and prevalence.