What is the most common hospital-acquired infection?

The most common hospital-acquired infection is a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are frequently associated with hospitals due to various factors, including the use of urinary catheters, which can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract. These infections can occur when bacteria enter the bladder or kidneys, leading to symptoms such as pain, urgency, and fever.

The prevalence of UTIs in the hospital setting can be attributed to the high number of patients who require catheterization and the prolonged duration that these devices may remain in place, increasing the risk of infection. While surgical site infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and bloodstream infections are also significant hospital-acquired infections, they occur less frequently than UTIs. The presence of these factors contributes to UTIs being the most common type of infection acquired in a hospital setting.