Special features

Healthcare-associated infection — intervention-related infection

By Estelle Moulder, MRPharmS, MSc

Invasive medical procedures break the body’s defence against infection and facilitate infiltration by micro-organisms. This article describes these infections and the financial burden they create for the health services

This article as a PDF (50K)

Estelle Moulder is antimicrobials pharmacist at Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust

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Inserting an intravenous administration device

Inserting an intravenous administration device increases the risk of infection

SUMMARY

During a hospital stay, most patients undergo at least one invasive procedure that carries a risk of infection. Such procedures include the insertion of intravenous devices, urinary catheterisation and surgery.

As a member of the healthcare team, pharmacists must remain aware of the risks of infection, and provide proactive advice on how to treat or reduce these risks.