Hospital-Acquired Infections and Infection Prevention: Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Control Strategies

This chapter reviews the epidemiology, microbiology, and burden of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) — including central line-associated bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections — with reference to contemporary surveillance data and risk factor analyses. It critically evaluates evidence-based infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies, antimicrobial stewardship programmes, and environmental decontamination technologies, including the role of novel disinfectants and ultraviolet-C irradiation. The chapter also addresses challenges in IPC implementation in low- and middle-income countries and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare-associated infection rates and stewardship practices.