What type of infections are classified as nosocomial infections?

Nosocomial infections are defined as infections that patients acquire while being hospitalized or receiving medical care within a healthcare facility. These infections typically manifest during a hospital stay and are not present or incubating at the time of admission. The most common types of nosocomial infections include urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia.

The emergence of nosocomial infections is often linked to various factors, such as the use of invasive procedures, prolonged hospital stays, and the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Understanding this concept is vital for infection control practices, as healthcare facilities implement protocols to minimize these infections through sanitation, proper hand hygiene, and appropriate use of antibiotics.

In contrast, infections acquired at home or those treated in outpatient settings are not classified as nosocomial, nor do infections that arise from surgical procedures exclusively fall into this category unless the patient contracts the infection during their hospital stay following that procedure.