nosocome-, nosocom-, nosokome-, noskom-
(Greek: hospital, infirmary; place for the treatment of diseases)
Helena developed nosocomephobia because, when she went into the local infirmary in a healthy condition for her back operation, she contracted an infection, and then she needed special medical treatment to recover from it before the doctor could operate.
Since antibiotics are used so often, there are bacteria that are resistant to them and which have also become common in medical centers where there are many nosocomial contagions.
2. Something that takes place in a medical institution; such as, a description of an infection not present or incubating prior to a patient’s admittance, but generally occurring 72 hours after he or she arrived there: Nosocomial refers to a secondary disorder associated with hospitalization but which is unrelated to the primary illness of the sick person.The term usually refers to diseases invalids keep getting; however, some general clinic personnel are also acquiring nosocomial viruses, too.
Nosocomial infections that were (and are) resistant to antibiotics have become more widespread in infirmaries.
Acquired during treatment, nosocomial infections are produced by microorganisms that dwell in health facilities.
Nosocomial infections are why some people say that a medical center is no place for a sick person.
Nosocomial infections come from the microorganisms and pathogens that thrive in places for the treatment of diseases or arrive with new valetudinarians (sick persons) who go to such institutions.
Many nosocomial infections are spread in numerous ways because organisms can be transmitted:
- In food and water.
- In transfused blood and intravenous fluids.
- In pharmaceuticals or drugs.
- Through the air.
- By direct human contacts.
- On towels and beding (sheets, mattreses, blankets, etc.)
- Via the housekeeping staff.
- By some hospital workers who come in direct contact with invalids and don't take the time to, or are not concerned enough to, take the best known precautionary measures; such as, washing their hands properly with fluids that include antimicrobial chemicals instead of just with alcohol and soap.
- Patients going to the medical centers are often sicker and so they are not able to fight off disease-producing microorganisms.
- The types of germs present in hospitals are often more dangerous than those encountered in the general community.
Infirmary-acquired pneumonia occurs more often in invalids who are using a respirator or ventilator machine to help them breathe. When pneumonia occurs in a person who is ill and on a ventilator, it is known as "ventilator-associated pneumonia".
Nosocomial pneumonia may be introduced into the lungs of sufferers with contaminated respiratory therapy equipment or simply by breathing the air filled with droplets of infections from other patients or coughing medical personnel; especially, when those who are sick are close together in intensive care units.
The increased use of drugs that reduce the body's rejection of implants, but at the same time, suppress the body's immune system, leaves the invalid vulnerable to infections that can kill; for example, nosocomial pneumonia.
Nosocomial respiratory infections are said to be the most common causes of death that are transmitted in intensive care units or infirmaries.
Some people are convinced that there are not enough nosocomia available to take care of all of the men, women, and children with ailments that need medical treatment.