What are nosocomial infections?
They are infections acquired in a hospital. Some of these infections are unavoidable, such as those acquired by patients with weakened immune systems or by those in the last stage of a protracted illness. But depending on the study, one-third to three-quarters of nosocomial infections are preventable, making them one of the leading causes of medical malpractice suits. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has advised that the most effective way to reduce nosocomial infections is for doctors and hospital staff to wash their hands between treating patients. Amazingly, some studies suggest that doctors clean their hands between patients only 48 percent of the time!
