TITLE:
Persistence of Healthcare-Associated (Nosocomial) Infections Due to Inadequate Hand Hygiene: Part 1—Biological and Treatment Factors
AUTHORS:
Robert B. Raffa, Joseph V. Pergolizzi, Robert Taylor, Sanjib Choudhuri, Robert Rodenbeck
KEYWORDS:
Infection, Nosocomial, Hospital, Healthcare-Associated, Hygiene, Handwashing
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.9 No.8,
August
9,
2018
ABSTRACT: The most frequent adverse event in the healthcare delivery system is
acquisition of an infection within a healthcare facility. Since infection
control measures are known, simple, and low-cost, we examine why the problem of
healthcare-associated infections persists. Hundreds
of millions of patients each year are
affected by a healthcare-associated infection, with negative medical outcome and financial cost. It is a major public health problem even in
countries with advanced healthcare systems. This is a bit perplexing, given
that hygienic practices have been known and actively promoted. The objective is
to address the question: doesn’t the use of disinfection, sterilization,
handwashing, and alcohol rubs prevent the spread of pathogenic organisms? We
conclude that the persistent high prevalence of nosocomial infections despite
known hygienic practices is attributable to two categories of factors:
biological and inherent shortcomings of some practices (considered in Part 1),
and human factors (considered in Part 2). A new approach is presented in Part
3.