Tackling healthcare-associated infections in Brazilian intensive care units: we need more than collaboration

Microbiological analysis of surgeons' hands in a public hospital in São Luis, Maranhão State, Brazil

“…It requires a prolonged hospitalization time, exposing the patient to potential risks and complications, which significantly increase morbidity and mortality rates [18,19]. HAIs affect millions of patients worldwide every year, with rates ranging from 7% to 10% [20][21][22][23]. These variations may be attributed to the implementation of patient safety behaviors and practices at different levels within each healthcare institution, as well as the socioeconomic conditions of each country.…”

“…Some important factors may be associated with the high prevalence of HAIs in the hospital environment, including a long period of hospitalization; major surgical procedures; use of invasive instruments; indiscriminate use of antibiotics; conditions inherent to the patient, such as the existence of chronic diseases (diabetes, skin wounds); characteristics related to patient care sectors, such as intensive care units (ICUs); and use of inadequate hand hygiene techniques by visitors, nursing professionals, intensive care physicians, and surgeons [8,23]. In addition, patient infection can also occur through invasive procedures, such as intravenous drug administration, catheter and drain insertion, percutaneous tracheostomy, the use of prosthetic devices, endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, oral routes, and surgery [1,8,23,25,27].…”

“…Handwashing is a prerequisite for reducing the occurrence of HAI [38]. Therefore, several authors have reinforced its importance and drawn attention to the significant drop, around 70%, in the incidence and prevalence rates of HAIs [1,22,23,25,38]. Although no protocol guarantees the elimination of 100% of the microorganisms present on the hands of health professionals, the simple act of washing hands by visitors, nurses, and other members of health care teams may reduce the risk of transmission of HAIs [1,44].…”