What types of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are common?

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What types of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are common?

Some types of HAIs are related to the procedures or devices used to provide healthcare. These include:

  • Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI): A central line, also called a central venous catheter, is placed into a major vein near your heart to give medicines and take blood.
  • Surgical site infection (SSI): These infections happen when you have surgery. They can be in your skin or deeper within your body and more serious.
  • Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI): A catheter is a tube that goes from your bladder through your urethra to allow urine to drain from your body into a collection bag. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common type of HAI. They affect the urinary tract (kidneys, bladders, urethra and ureters). About 75% of these UTIs are linked to the use of catheters, especially if the catheter is used for a long time.
  • Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP): A ventilator is a machine that also uses tubes. These tubes help oxygen get to your lungs either by way of your mouth or through a hole in your neck. Pneumonia is a lung infection that can happen if the germs enter your lungs because of the tube.

Another way of identifying HAIs involves the actual germs that cause the infections. These include infections like the following:

  • Gram-negative bacteria, which can cause infections like pneumonia, bloodstream infections or meningitis. Acinobactere infections, a type of infection not usually found outside of a healthcare facility, belongs in this type.
  • Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), which is a germ that can cause colon inflammation and a very contagious form of diarrhea.
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is a form of infection that is resistant to common antibiotics like penicillin, amoxicillin and methicillin. Outside of healthcare facilities, MRSA is usually found as a skin infection. Inside healthcare facilities, you can come down with MRSA infections that are serious and might actually cause death. There are other infections that resist other types of antibiotics, including carbapenem and vancomycin.
  • Hepatitis, a group of viral infections that affect the liver and are easily transmitted in healthcare facilities.

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