Prevention and Management of Healthcare-Associated Infections: Focus on Pneumonia and UTI

Abstract

Patients admitted to an acute care hospital or living in a long-term care facility have an increased risk of
HAIs which usually include a wide range of infections involving different organs or systems, such as those
affecting the lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, and bloodstream/vascular system. Rehabilitation units
serve a specific segment of society, and patients include those at the highest risk for healthcare-associated
illness, particularly those with chronic underlying illnesses, addictions, homelessness, immunosuppression,
malignant diseases, prolonged hospitalizations, long-term endotracheal and intravenous catheters, chronic
wounds, open fractures, and antimicrobial resistance. High vigilance for HAIs must be maintained, with
adherence to guidelines and surveillance measures for prevention and early detection, in strict collaboration
with the public health system, especially when a threatened outbreak of an antimicrobial-resistant strain is
concerned. When HAIs are suspected, early multidisciplinary approaches are required, even as a catalyst to
direct infection control measures. However, cautious use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials, early empirical
treatments, and early diagnostics, with few but comprehensive invasive procedures, should be performed.
Non-antimicrobial preventive therapies could be implemented for specific patient populations, but future
alternatives for disease prevention, such as vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and new chemical entities,
will be available to clinicians.