An infection acquired in a hospital or healthcare facility that was not present or incubating at the time of admission. Also called healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
From Greek 'nosokomeion' meaning 'hospital,' literally 'place for the sick' (from 'nosos' meaning 'disease' and 'komein' meaning 'to take care of'). The term highlights infections that paradoxically occur in places meant to heal.
Nosocomial infections are the ultimate medical irony - you go to the hospital to get better, but end up catching something worse than what you came in with! Hospitals are like bacterial hotels where the most dangerous, antibiotic-resistant microbes check in and never want to leave.
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