Assessing Nosocomial Infection Rate In Public And Private Hospitals

Abstract

Nosocomial infections, commonly referred to as hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), are infections that develop after a patient is admitted to a healthcare facility and were not present at the time of admission. These infections contribute significantly to increased patient morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, higher treatment costs, and elevated mortality rates. In developing countries like Pakistan, differences in infrastructure, resource availability, and infection control practices between public and private hospitals may lead to variations in infection prevalence. Despite their clinical and economic impact, nosocomial infections often remain underreported and inadequately addressed, highlighting the urgent need for systematic evaluation and targeted interventions. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in Public and Private hospitals of Lahore. A total of 92 patients were selected using a convenience sampling technique from various hospitals in Lahore. The study was conducted over a period of six months. Among the selected patients, 53 were from public hospitals, 33 from private hospitals, and 6 from rural healthcare facilities. This distribution provided a basis for comparing nosocomial infection rates across different hospital types, particularly in terms of infection control practices and patient load. Descriptive statistical tools, including frequencies and percentages, were applied to examine the distribution of infection types and contributing risk factors. Results: The study found that nosocomial infections were more prevalent in public hospitals compared to private ones. Surgical Site Infections (43.5%) were the most common, followed by Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (28.3%) and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (14.1%). Risk factors included invasive procedures, longer hospital stays, and underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Conclusion: The study concludes that nosocomial infections remain a significant challenge, particularly in public hospitals due to resource constraints and higher patient loads. Effective infection control policies, regular staff training, and improved hospital infrastructure are essential to reduce infection rates. Strengthening these measures can enhance patient safety and overall healthcare quality.

Keywords: Nosocomial infections, hospital-acquired infections, public hospitals, private hospitals, infection control, surgical site infection, catheter-associated urinary tract infection, ventilator-associated pneumonia, patient safety, healthcare-associated infection.