Hand arranging wood block stacking as step stair with arrow up. Ladder career path concept for business growth success process

According to a report released by Quince Market Insights, the global hospital-acquired infections (HAI) market reached USD 12,411.2 million in 2021 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6 percent during the forecast period.

The prevalence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in intensive care units (ICUs) is increasing globally. Patients in intensive care units are twice as likely to get HAIs as those on general wards. The increasing need to control HAIs using reliable data has become a priority for the healthcare sector.

Adopting proper infection control measures and reducing the incidence of infection in hospitals, especially in ICUs, has become a necessity since the COVID-19 pandemic has burdened the healthcare sector globally. Different methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevention methods used in hospitals and other healthcare facilities have led to various combinations of interventions being used for reducing HAI. Improving hand hygiene, patient contact precautions, active surveillance and environmental cleaning are some prevention methods used for reducing infection incidents in hospitals.

Patients undergoing chemotherapy, elderly patients, newborns, and patients with multiple medical comorbidities are vulnerable to HAI. The patients in the ICUs, on ventilator support, undergoing surgery and having indwelling devices such as urinary catheters, vascular access devices, endotracheal tubes, tracheostomies, enteral feeding tubes are susceptible to hospital-acquired infections. 

HAs prevention and the accurate recognition using reliable data along with the integration of advanced technology are expected to help the healthcare sector contain hospital-acquired infections. Traditional cleaning methods are ineffective for cleaning and bacterial control. Because of technological advancements, new approaches such as disinfectants, steam, automated dispersal systems, and antimicrobial surfaces are replacing traditional ways. 

In recent years, various technologies aimed at reducing the risk of HAIs have evolved. These techniques can completely revolutionize patient care. To inhibit pathogen spread, several emerging methods involve environmental purification. New disinfectants and delivery technologies, no-touch devices, and antimicrobial surfaces, are being adopted by hospitals. 

For instance, in January 2021, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in the U.S. began piloting technology from intelligent observation. The technology alternative uses near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) technology. It verifies if clinicians are washing or sanitizing their hands for proper amount of time at scheduled time. NFMI has high accuracy and precision than previous technologies that rely upon radio-frequency identification (RFID) wireless technology.

For complete data and analysis on the HAI market categorized by technology, end user, region and more, the full report can be accessed here.

Check out more types for combatting HAIs here.