nosokomiale

Nosokomiale is an adjective used to describe infections acquired in a hospital or other healthcare facility, not present or incubating at the time of admission. In epidemiological terms, these are hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). They typically become evident 48 to 72 hours after admission or during the course of care, though definitions vary by jurisdiction. Common types include surgical-site infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

Common pathogens include Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), Enterococcus species, Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter, as well as fungi such as Candida species. Transmission occurs via direct contact with contaminated hands or equipment, contaminated surfaces, and invasive devices like catheters, endoscopes, or ventilators. Risk factors include invasive procedures, prolonged hospital stay, severe underlying illness, immunosuppression, prior antimicrobial use, and burn or ICU settings.

Prevention relies on infection prevention programs, rigorous hand hygiene, aseptic technique, proper sterilization of equipment, environmental cleaning, isolation precautions for colonized or infected patients, and antimicrobial stewardship to reduce resistance. Surveillance data help identify outbreaks and inform practice changes. The term nosocomial underscores the hospital setting; efforts to reduce such infections have improved with modern infection control, but HAIs remain a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs worldwide.