Translation:

The article talks about the susceptibility of patients to hospital infections which can be acquired from other patients or healthcare practitioners. The article then explains nosocomial infection as a problem which affects both developed and developing countries. Factors that can increase a person’s risk of infection include the length of hospitalisation, age, co-morbidity of other diseases, immunosuppressive treatment and treatment procedures. Nosocomial infection can either be endogenous or exogenous, and spreads through direct contact, indirect contact, the air or inoculation and transfers. Nosocomial infection has a huge impact on patients and healthcare practitioners in terms of treatment cost and may cause death in serious cases. Hand washing is the easiest way to prevent nosocomial infections. Steps on proper hand washing are also provided. Quote from Dr Rosenthal, Chairperson of the INICC that hand cleanliness, sterilisation of catheters and closed IV systems has shown to effectively reduce bloodstream infections, hospital stays and death rates, as well as prevent bacterial resistance and save on treatment costs.