Last Updated on April 7, 2025 by Analgesia team
HAI Healthcare-Associated Infection
A hospital-acquired infection (HAI), also known as a healthcare-associated infection (HAI), is an infection that develops in a patient while they are receiving care in a hospital or other healthcare facility. HAIs can occur in many areas of healthcare, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory settings. They are the opposite of community-acquired infections.
Some common types of HAIs include:
-
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections
- Central line-associated bloodstream infections
- Surgical site infections
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia
- Clostridioides difficile infections
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
The most common examples of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are:
- Surgical site infections: Infections that occur at the incision site after surgery
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Infections of the urinary system
- Bloodstream infections (BSIs): Infections that affect the bloodstream
- Respiratory tract infections: Infections that affect the lungs, such as pneumonia
Symptoms of HAIs include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Abdominal pain
- Heart palpitations
- Diarrhea
- Peeing more than usual
- Painful urination
- Change in mental state
To prevent HAIs, you can:
- Keep your hands clean
- Ask your healthcare providers about their infection control procedures
- Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed
- Stay up to date on your flu shot and other recommended vaccinations