What is a healthcare associated infection (HCAI)?
Healthcare associated infections are infections that a patient may get as a result of receiving treatment. This could be in a hospital, doctor’s surgery, care home or even a person’s own home if that is where they are receiving care.
How do people develop HCAIs?
There are a number of reasons why a patient might develop an infection.
The most important factor is the susceptibility of the patient. For example, those with diabetes or cancer have a lowered immunity as a result of their illness putting them at greater risk of infection. Elderly patients and the very young are also susceptible to certain infections.
Having a procedure can increase the risk of infection and some medication can reduce natural defences against infection.
Most people will not get an infection during treatment; however, whilst it is not possible to completely remove all the risk of infection, it is possible to reduce it to a minimum.
What happens if I develop a HCAI?
This will depend on the type of infection. A member of the Moorfields Eye Hospital team will advise you about the treatment and the care you will need. You might need extra medication, for example eye drops and antibiotics to treat the infection. A member of our team will give you advice on what you can do to help prevent the infection from spreading.
In some circumstances, if you are admitted to hospital with an infection, inflammation of the eye or wound area to help prevent the spread of the infection to others. This will be explained to you on admission.
What are the most common types of HCAIs in hospital?
Moorfields Eye Hospital has a strong track record on infection prevention and control; however; it is possible that some patients may get an infection following surgery. If this happens it is important that you are aware of the signs and symptoms of infection. These can include pain and swelling and decreased vision.
If this happens is it important that you return to the hospital for assessment as soon as possible.
What is Moorfields Eye Hospital doing to prevent HCAIs?
Our staff are committed to providing the best care for our patients.
Prevention and control of infection is a priority for all staff to ensure the risk of infection to patients is reduced. This is achieved through the following measures:
Hand hygiene
This is an important measure that helps in preventing the spread of infections from one patient to another. Clinical staff follow the ‘bare below the elbow’ guidance, which includes wearing no wrist jewellery, stoned rings and wearing short sleeve tops to ensure hands are cleaned thoroughly.
Audits/checks
All areas undertake monthly environmental and hand hygiene audits. The scores for hand hygiene audits are displayed in some wards and departments.
Clean environment
We recognise the importance of keeping the environment clean. Our domestic staff are dedicated to providing and maintaining a high standard, which is monitored regularly by our clinical staff.
Staff also work closely with patients to undertake cleanliness checks, such as patient-led assessments of the care environment.
Regular infection prevention and control training
Our staff attend regular infection control training to keep themselves updated on the latest guidance and best practice.
What can patients and visitors do to help?
Patients and visitors should not visit if they are unwell with a cold, flu or have diarrhoea. Patients, please tell your nurse or doctor if you have had any recent infections.
Hand sanitising
Patients and visitors at Moorfields can use soap and water or the orange hand sanitiser stations to clean their hands.
Covering all areas of your hands when you are cleaning them is very important and at Moorfields Eye Hospital. We recommend the following seven-step technique shown below, which is also useful when washing your hands prior to putting in eye drops.
Please feel free to ask our staff if they have cleaned their hands before treating you.
Review date: 2026