Experts estimate infections associated with health care facilities cost the United States approximately $45 billion per year. More important than the price tag, however, are the mortalities. More than 98 000 deaths are estimated to occur each year because of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). HAI is a general term used to describe the estimated 1.7 million infections spread in health care facilities each year. These staggering numbers show the extent of this public health concern. Radiologic technologists play a vital role in the care of patients. They have the ability to stop the transmission of HAIs and other illnesses or, if proper precautions are not followed, further spread infection. Every procedure a radiologic technologist takes part in requires close contact with patients: the simple touching of the shoulders to position for a chest radiograph, placing an imaging plate for a portable examination, or performing an invasive myelogram. If radiologic technologists do not understand illness transmission or they become complacent with their use of standard precautions, HAIs and other illnesses can spread more easily. The chain of infection is the means by which infectious diseases move from 1 person or object to another. In many instances, health care workers have the ability to decrease the number of HAI mortalities by stopping the chain of infection. If just 20% of HAIs were prevented, U.S. hospitals could save more lives and reduce costs up to $9 billion in a year.
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