Environmental conditions and health care–associated infections in wards for noncritical patients

摘要

Recent reports on the seasonality of health care–associated infections (HCAIs) and pathogens have posed new challenges for infection control practitioners.1 Indeed, “summer peaks” and association with warm periods were detected,2, 3 and a recent study found that the likelihood of acquiring bloodstream infections caused by gram-negativebacilli increased with proximity to the equator.4 It is worth noting that most studies were conducted in areas with a temperate climate,1 and they generally used weather parameters measured outsidethe hospital.1, 3