Risk Factors Facilitating Transmission of Infectious Agents

Author(s):
Carolyn Fiutem, MSOL, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC Director, Infection Prevention

HCA Houston Healthcare, Clear Lake & Mainland Campuses

Houston, TX

Revised:
September 24, 2020
Published:
October 2, 2014
Declarations of Conflicts of Interest:
  • Carolyn Fiutem reports no potential conflicts of interest.

Abstract

Understanding the risk factors that facilitate the transmission of infectious agents is important for preventing the spread of these microorganisms in various healthcare settings. In addition, the recognition of risk factors supports determining the need for additional interventions when patients colonized or infected with these microorganisms enter healthcare facilities. This understanding is also key for healthcare-associated infection surveillance data that adjust for certain infection risks and are used for interfacility comparison of infection rates. This knowledge then aids in the development and implementation of interventions to mitigate the transmission of infectious agents.Ref 21-1 National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System. Nosocomial infection rates for interhospital comparison: limitations and possible solu... - You do not have permission to view this object. ,Ref 21-2 Emori TG, Culver DH, Horan TC, et al. National nosocomial infections surveillance system (NNIS): description of surveillance methods. Am J... - You do not have permission to view this object. ,Ref 21-3 Keita-Perse OJ, Edwards JR, Culver DH, et al. Comparing nosocomial infection rates among surgical intensive-care units: the importance of... - You do not have permission to view this object. ,Ref 21-4 Archibald LK, Gaynes RP. Hospital-acquired infections in the United States. The importance of interhospital comparisons. Infect Dis Clin N... - You do not have permission to view this object. ,Ref 21-5 Keita-Perse O, Gaynes RP. Severity of illness scoring systems to adjust nosocomial infection rates: a review and commentary. Am J Infect C... - You do not have permission to view this object.

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