Affects approximately 10% of hospitalized patients.
Ventilator associated pneumonia is the most frequent presentation of hospital acquired infection of the lower respiratory tract, and the leading nosocomial infection worldwide.
In 2002 for every 100 patients admitted to U.S. hospitals 4.5 developed a nosocomial infection.
Healthcare facility related infections contribute to nearly 90,000 deaths per year.
Elderly patients in the ICU have a higher rate of nosocomial infections.
Among surgical and high-risk critically ill patients nosocomial fungal infections estimated to be the cause of death in 38% of patients.
Hand transmission is the primary mode of transferring multi resistant organisms and infections to patients in hospitals.
Hand washing or hand disinfection is the most important measure to prevent nosocomial infections.
Considered medical errors in that they are the result of failed quality control.
Healthcare associated infections affect 1.7 million hospitalizations in the U.S. annually (Klevens RM).
Healthcare associated infections increase morbidity and risk of mortality.
Admission to an ICU room previously occupied by patient harboring methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) is associated with a 40% increased risk of acquisition of infection with such agents (Huang SS et al).