Hospital Infections: What Patients Should Know
Published: 10 June 2026 · Written by: HospitalGuide Medical Editorial Board
What are hospital-acquired infections and how can patients protect themselves?
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), also called healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), are infections a patient contracts during a hospital stay that were not present on admission. The most common include MRSA, C. difficile, UTIs from catheters, surgical site infections, and central line bloodstream infections. Patients can reduce their risk by practising hand hygiene, asking all healthcare workers to wash their hands, and speaking up if aseptic technique is not followed.
The Most Common Hospital-Acquired Infections
| Infection | Common route | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| MRSA | Skin contact, contaminated surfaces | Hand hygiene, isolation of carriers |
| C. difficile | Oral-faecal route, antibiotic disruption of gut flora | Antibiotic stewardship, soap and water handwashing |
| CAUTI (catheter UTI) | Urinary catheters | Remove catheter as soon as possible |
| Surgical site infection | Wound contamination during or after surgery | Sterile technique, pre-op antibiotics, wound care |
What Patients Can Do
- Ask everyone to wash their hands before they touch you — including doctors. This is your right and healthcare workers expect it.
- Clean your own hands before eating and after using the toilet.
- Ask about IV lines and catheters: "Do I still need this?" — removing lines sooner reduces infection risk.
- Know the signs: Redness, swelling, or discharge around a wound or IV site; unexpected fever; pain on urination.
How Hospitals Report Infection Rates
In the USA, CMS publishes HAI rates for MRSA, C. diff, CAUTI, CLABSI, and SSIs on Medicare Care Compare. In the UK, NHS England publishes MRSA and C. difficile rates by trust. Comparing infection rates between hospitals can meaningfully inform your choice for elective surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common are hospital-acquired infections?
The WHO estimates that 1 in 10 hospitalised patients in high-income countries acquires a healthcare-associated infection during their stay. Rates are higher in ICUs and following invasive procedures. Rates have declined significantly over the past two decades due to improved protocols.
Can visitors bring infections into hospital?
Yes. Visitors can carry bacteria and viruses from the community into clinical areas. Hospitals ask visitors to use hand sanitiser on arrival, not visit when unwell, and follow any contact precautions in place (gloves, aprons, masks outside isolation rooms).
What should I do if I think I got an infection in hospital?
Contact your GP immediately if you develop symptoms after discharge (wound redness, fever, diarrhoea). Inform them that you were recently hospitalised so they can test appropriately and report to the hospital's infection control team.
Related Patient Guides
Editorial Transparency: This guide was reviewed by the HospitalGuide Medical Editorial Board against standard hospital policies and applicable patient rights legislation (HIPAA, NHS standards, Privacy Act). Content is updated when material regulatory changes occur.
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Medical Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or clinical advice. Always contact your healthcare provider or relevant authority directly. In a medical emergency, call 911 (USA/Canada), 999 (UK), 000 (Australia), or 112 (Europe) immediately. Full Medical Disclaimer →