What is the term for infections that are acquired while undergoing medical treatment?

The term for infections acquired during medical treatment is Health Care-Associated Infections (HAIs). This category encompasses a wide range of infections that occur in various health care settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and long-term care facilities. HAIs can arise from various sources, including surgical procedures, catheter use, or exposure to other patients or contaminated environments.

Identifying infections as health care-associated is important because it helps target prevention efforts and improve infection control practices. These infections can be caused by pathogens that are often resistant to treatment and are of particular concern in the context of patient safety and public health.

Other terms mentioned, such as community-associated infections, refer to those acquired outside of health care settings. Hospital-acquired infections are a subset of health care-associated infections specifically occurring in hospitals, whereas systemic infections refer to infections that affect the entire body, often spreading through the bloodstream. Focusing on the broad category of Health Care-Associated Infections allows for a comprehensive understanding of the risks involved during various forms of medical treatment.