Healthcare-associated infection classification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is not a “hospital-acquired infection” by itself. It is a bacterium that can cause healthcare-associated infections when the infection is acquired during hospitalization. [1], [2]
Definition of healthcare-associated infection
In NHSN surveillance, an infection is considered healthcare-associated when the NHSN site-specific infection criterion occurs on or after the 3rd calendar day of admission to an inpatient location where day of admission is calendar day 1. [3]
Typical infection setting for Pseudomonas aeruginosa
P. aeruginosa infections typically occur in healthcare settings. [1]
Hospital-related syndromes where P. aeruginosa is commonly involved
Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a type of healthcare-associated infection. [4]
P. aeruginosa can cause pneumonia in healthcare settings, including in hospitalized patients who develop lung infections. [1]
Community acquisition possibility
P. aeruginosa can cause infections in multiple body sites, including lungs and urinary tract, and infection origin may vary by patient context. [1]
Clinical interpretation
When P. aeruginosa is isolated from a clinical specimen obtained after the relevant healthcare-associated timing threshold, the infection is consistent with a healthcare-associated infection classification under NHSN surveillance definitions. [3]
When P. aeruginosa infection is present before that timing threshold, the infection is not classified as healthcare-associated under the NHSN definition. [3]