About Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)

HAIs are conditions resulting from the presence of an infectious agent(s) that occurs in a patient in a health care setting that was not present at the time of admission.

On this page:
What are HAIs
HAI Prevention
Resources for Patient Safety

What are HAIs

• HAIs occur in all settings of care including acute care within hospitals, same day surgical centers, ambulatory outpatient care in health care clinics, and long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities.
   
• HAIs are associated with a variety of causes including (but not limited to):
  • The use of medical devices, such as catheters and ventilators
  • Complications following a surgical procedure
  • Transmission between patients and health care workers
  • The result of antibiotic overuse

HAI Prevention: What Can You Do?

Be involved!

• Be an active member of your health care team.
• Take part in every decision about your health care.
• Clean your hands. Wash your own hands thoroughly - use soap and running water for 15 seconds -after blowing your nose, after using the toilet and before eating or touching food or use alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty.

Speak up!

• Ask all health care workers and visitors who have direct contact with you whether they have washed their hands.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions.
• Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines.
• Make sure that all of your doctors know about the medication you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Resources for Patient Safety

• MDH Patient Safety
  MDH website promoting patient safety and the prevention of adverse health events.
   
• AHRQ: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
  Federal agency charged with improving the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans.