Hospital- or healthcare-acquired infections (HAI) are new infections that patients acquire as a result of healthcare interventions to treat other conditions. Estimates of prevalence of HAIs are difficult to compare between studies, due to differences in definitions used and means of data collection. Although some high-income countries have national surveillance systems for HAIs, there are fewer data available from low- and middle-income countries. Recent systematic reviews have estimated hospital-wide prevalence of HAIs in high-income countries at 7.6% and in low and middle-income countries at 10.1%.[1]
Various factors may contribute to an increased risk of infection among hospitalised patients, including decreased patient immunity due to illness, invasiveness of medical procedure, overcrowding and poor infection control practices. Some HAI are caused by antibiotic-resistant micro-organisms, which can be more challenging to treat. Although this special collection concentrates on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HAI in the hospital setting, it should be remembered that patterns of antibiotic use and/or overuse in the community influence antibiotic resistance seen in hospital infections.
This Special Collection presents a selection of Cochrane Reviews assessing:
- Interventions to prevent infection
- Changing behaviour to prevent infection
- Diagnosis and treatment of hospital-acquired infections
The Cochrane Reviews highlighted in this special collection have been prepared by authors and editors from a diverse range of Cochrane Review Groups including the Cochrane Colorectal group, the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections group, the Cochrane Incontinence group, the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care group, the Cochrane Wounds group, the Cochrane Oral Health group, the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic disorders group, the Cochrane Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Functional Bowel Disorders group, the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth group, the Cochrane Bone group, the Cochrane Joint and Muscle Trauma group, and the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary group.