Nosocomial
Nosocomial (pronunciation: /ˌnɒsəˈkoʊmiəl/) is a term used in the medical field to describe infections that have been contracted in a hospital environment. The term is derived from the Greek words "nosus" meaning disease and "komeion" meaning to take care of.
Definition
A Nosocomial infection is an infection that is acquired in a hospital or other healthcare facility. To be classified as a nosocomial infection, the patient must have been admitted for reasons other than the infection, and must also show no signs of the infection at the time of admission.
Causes
Nosocomial infections can be caused by a wide variety of microorganisms, but the most common are bacteria. These include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These infections can be spread through direct contact with an infected person, or indirectly through contaminated surfaces or equipment.
Prevention
Prevention of nosocomial infections involves strict adherence to infection control practices, such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and proper cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment.
Related Terms
- Healthcare-associated infection (HAI): This is a broader term that includes not only infections acquired in hospitals, but also in other healthcare settings such as nursing homes and outpatient clinics.
- Hospital-acquired infection: This is another term for nosocomial infection.
- Iatrogenic: This term refers to any condition that is caused by medical examinations or treatments.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nosocomial
- Wikipedia's article - Nosocomial
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