Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections acquired while patients are receiving medical care. HAIs occur in all healthcare settings including acute care, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient clinics, long-term care, long-term acute care, and rehabilitation facilities. These infections are associated with a variety of risk factors, including:
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The use of indwelling medical devices found in the bloodstream, endotracheal, and bladder
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Surgical procedures
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Injections
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Contamination of the healthcare environment
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Transmission of communicable diseases between patients and healthcare workers
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Overuse or improper use of antibiotics
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Host co-morbidities
For more information about Wyoming Department of Health activities related to HAIs in Wyoming, please contact Cody Loveland, WDH surveillance epidemiologist and HAI prevention coordinator at (307) 777-8634.