There are several common causes for infections at a hospital:
- Failure to carry out routine screening for MRSA or C. diff prior to surgery or other procedures
- Failure to provide a safe, clean environment
- Failure to provide appropriate medical care
- Failure to provide appropriate post-surgical treatment
- Failure to provide sufficient monitoring and treatment for infections.
Patients in a hospital are more vulnerable to infections due to:
- Weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to an infection that would have no effect or a minimal effect on a healthy person
- Open wounds, including burns or sores, as well as IV and catheter insertions, which are entry points for bacteria
- Being exposed to high traffic levels throughout the hospital i.e. numerous staff, visitors, and patients, all of whom can spread bacteria even without being infected themselves.
