Hospital-acquired infections push mortality rate up to 25% in Colombia

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) study has revealed that over 1.4 million people across the globe develop infections in medical centers. Hospital-acquired infections, also known as nosocomial infections, have increased mortality up to 25% in Colombia. The WHO has stated that these infections generate additional complications for original pathologies. As a result, patients have to stay for long in the hospitals even after he/she is cured of the original diseases but have to stay for treatment of other infections, which is due to his previous stay in the hospital. Prolonged stay ends up in increased healthcare costs, making the care unaffordable. According to the National Institute of Health, the best available practices that help enhance patient safety is the use of the latest generation medical devices designed to improve clinical practice helping health professionals to reduce the risk of complications related to health care. The WHO indicates that over 1.4 million people worldwide get infections in the hospital. Between 5% and 10% of patients admitted to hospital will acquire one or more infections. In developing countries, such as Colombia the risk of infection related to health care is 2-20 times more.