Types of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)
To learn more about CAUTIs, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website: https://www.cdc.gov/HAI/ca_uti/uti.html.
A central line is a tube that is put in a large blood vessel in a patient’s chest, arm, neck or groin. In newborns, it can go in the navel. The end of the tube is placed near the patient’s heart. Central lines are used to give fluids, measure the amount of fluid in the body, or give medicine. If a central line is inserted incorrectly, or not cared for correctly, bacteria can get into the tube and enter the blood, causing an infection. CLABSIs are serious infections that can increase the patient’s stay in the hospital, increase the cost of medical care, and even cause death.
To learn more about CLABSIs, visit the CDC's website: https://www.cdc.gov/HAI/bsi/bsi.html.
Surgical Site Infections (SSIs)
A surgical site infection (SSI) is an infection that occurs after surgery in the part of the body where the surgery took place. Having surgery can increase a patient’s risk of getting an infection by giving bacteria a pathway into normally sterile areas of the body. Surgical site infections can involve the skin only (superficial), or be more serious and involve tissues under the skin, organs, or implanted material.
To learn more about SSIs, visit the CDC's website: https://www.cdc.gov/HAI/ssi/faq_ssi.html.
Ventilator-associated Pneumonia (lung infection)
When a patient needs help to breathe, a machine may need to be used. A tube, known as an endotracheal tube, is placed into the throat. The tube is then attached to a breathing machine called a ventilator. It is possible for bacteria and other germs to get into the lungs. When the germs begin to grow, an infection can develop that can give the patient pneumonia. These lung infections are known as ventilator-associated pneumonias.
To learn more ventilator-associated pneumonias, visit the CDC's website: https://www.cdc.gov/HAI/vap/vap.html.
To contact the Healthcare Associated Infections Program, please call 860-509-7995.