What are HAIs primarily associated with?

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) primarily refer to infections that patients acquire while receiving treatment for medical or surgical conditions in healthcare settings. These infections can occur in hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient facilities, and other places where healthcare is delivered. The term itself emphasizes the association with healthcare delivery, highlighting the fact that these infections are often preventable through proper infection control practices.

The significance of HAIs lies in their impact on patient health outcomes, which can lead to increased morbidity, longer hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. Identifying the source of these infections is essential, as many are related to procedures, equipment, or the presence of invasive devices like catheters or ventilators.

While hospital admissions can certainly be a setting for HAIs, they are not exclusively limited to such environments, emphasizing the broader category of healthcare settings. Other options, such as health and illness or holiday-associated infections, do not accurately describe the specific context or nature of HAIs, which is inherently linked to the healthcare setting. Thus, the focus on "Healthcare-associated Infections" captures the essence of what HAIs represent in nursing and infection control practice.