Hospital-Acquired Infections: The True Cost

• A high-profile case in Mumbai involves a professional orthopaedic surgeon and a hospital suing for post-operative infection and extensive treatment expenses.
• In Bangalore, a patient developed ventilator-associated Acinetobacter pneumonia, a serious Hospital-Acquired Infection (HAI), causing the family to question the hospital’s responsibility in preventing such infections.
• Both cases highlight the challenges faced in healthcare systems, particularly in accredited hospitals.
• HAIs are common complications in healthcare settings, increasing morbidity, mortality, and financial costs.
• In the US, Medicare and Medicaid insurance systems do not reimburse costs associated with certain HAIs, incentivizing hospitals to prevent infections.
• India faces unique challenges due to its diverse healthcare standards and high levels of AMR.
• All NABH and JCI-accredited hospitals should be required to disclose their HAI rates on a common platform.
• Insurance companies could mandate that a portion of payouts be directed towards improving infection control standards.
• Hospitals should align with international practices by not charging patients for the treatment of HAIs.
• Public education is crucial to prevent unnecessary litigation and understand that hospitals can only try to reduce HAI.