Healthcare Acquired Infections refer to infections an individual catches while receiving treatment at a health facility. This health facility could be as small as a clinic or as big as a hospital.

HAIs, also known as Health associated infections, may be acquired from a healthcare professional such as a doctor or a nurse as well.

It is absolutely essential to take a more serious look at such infections since they can not only be harder to detect but also harder to treat.

Infectious agents present in healthcare facilities can be harder to get rid of since their development is favored by the hospital environment.

What are the most commonly occurring HAIs?

The following are the most frequently seen hospital Acquired Infections:

•       Respiratory infections
•       Surgical site infection
•       Urinary tract infection
•       Sepsis
•       Catheter infection

Risk factors:

Although anyone using the healthcare facilities may be at risk of acquiring the infection, there are certain groups that are more vulnerable to catching the infection and experiencing serious symptoms. Such groups are:

•       The Elderly
•       Children
•       Pregnant women
•       Individuals with compromised immune systems

The importance of air purifiers in preventing Hospital Acquired Infections

 Air purifiers can play an instrumental role in cutting down the risk and frequency of hospital-acquired infections significantly. They can do so by removing harmful airborne pathogens and viruses which are highly infectious. Air purifiers with germ-resistant filters can prove to be very beneficial in making sure that the germs do not get concentrated in an area and that there is no risk of recontamination. Bacterial spores like Anthrax, Clostridium, and viruses like SARS- COV-2 remain a potential threat to individuals

with compromised immune systems. In the past year, such patients also faced the risk of getting infected with black fungus as well. Air purifiers with advanced filters can help greatly in fighting such infections in hospital spaces.

What more can healthcare facilities do to prevent hospital Acquired Infections?

HAIs can be prevented if the appropriate measures are taken. These include:

•       Healthcare workers must make sure to clean their hands using soap and alcohol rubs before and after handling patients.
•       Making use of hair masks, face masks, gloves, and protective gowns to avoid direct contact will deter the spread of the germs.
•       Identifying and preventing contagion becomes absolutely important in order to control the spread of highly infectious diseases such as flu and other respiratory infections 
•       The use of Isolation wards can help in containing the infection.
•       Installing germ-resistant air purifiers can help greatly in reducing the spread of airborne infection by trapping the germs and preventing reinfection.
•       Disinfecting hospital surfaces frequently will help in making sure that no infections can be transmitted to new patients. Along with this, the bed sheets and pillows must also be sanitized and changed frequently.

The need to examine Hospital Acquired Infections becomes unarguably important since even minor infections can be fatal for individuals who are already battling other health issues or have Weakened immune systems. Hence, these steps need to be taken seriously and followed religiously.