Third point prevalence study findings 2022-2023 Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) in Europe KNOWLEDGE Respiratory infections are leading the way Approximately 4.3 million Europeans are affected by HAI each year. The resulting cost is around €7 billion [1]. HAI can be categorised in different ways, for example to clinical presentation. Accordingly, respiratory infections such as pneumonia are by far the most common nosocomial condition in Europe. Urinary tract infections and surgical site infections are also common [1]. Most common pathogen: E. coli The picture is more uniform for the most common pathogens. E. coli is in first place across Europe with 13%, ahead of Klebsiella and Enterococci, while SARSCoV-2 is in fourth place with 9% [1]. References 1. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals. Stockholm: ECDC; 2024. Abrufbar unter: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/ sites/default/files/documents/healthcare-associated-point-prevalence-surveyacute-care-hospitals-2022-2023.pdf 2. WHO Global report on infection prevention and control 2022. Genf: WHO; 2024. Abrufbar unter: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/hand le/10665/354489/9789240051164-eng.pdf Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) are a major - and often preventable - burden not only for patients but also for healthcare systems. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the prevalence in 2022-2023 varied from around 3-14% in European countries and averaged 8.0% on an adjusted basis [1]. Compared to 2016-2017, with an average of 6.5%, the adjusted prevalence had increased slightly. Overall, there were no major differences except for the occurrence of HAI COVID-19 infections. The 5 most frequent infections The 5 most frequent pathogens Hand disinfection Skin antiseptic Surface disinfection Personal protective equipment Reprocessing of medical devices € € € € € € € € Standard Precaution Measures Good standard precaution as preventative measure Good standard precaution - consisting of hygienic hand disinfection, skin antiseptis, surface cleaning and disinfection, personal protective equipment and the reprocessing of medical devices - is considered the best preventive measure against HAI. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), correctly implemented standard precaution measures can help prevent around 70% of all HAIs [2]. Respiratory infections Urinary tract infections Other infections Bloodstream infections Gastrointestinal infections Surgical site infections 30% 20% 17% 10% 12% 11% 13% 12% 10% 9% 9% 47% E. coli Klebsiella ssp. Enterococcus spp. S. aureus Others SARS-CoV-2 28
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