Infection Control

Introduction

The spread of infectious diseases in hospitals between patients and staff is a serious problem worldwide. These hospital-acquired infections (called nosocomial infections) contribute to morbidity and mortality in hospitals and health care facilities and increase costs significantly. Using a conservative nosocomial infection rate of 15 percent for developing countries (based on rates in South Africa) and a 5 percent mortality rate, it can be concluded that hospital-acquired infections rank as one of the most important causes of death in the developing world.1 The liberal and inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents in health care facilities has resulted in the emergence of AMR bacteria. Ineffective IC practices at hospitals have also facilitated the spread of these resistant bacteria. The overuse of wide-spectrum antimicrobials further contributes to the problem.

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