Prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections in a large teaching hospital

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is the most frequent adverse event in healthcare settings. It is associated with increased mortality and antimicrobial resistance, leading to prolonged hospital stays and consistent financial loss for healthcare systems. The objective of this study was to estimate the burden of HAIs and antimicrobial use in the Teaching Hospital Policlinico Umberto I (THPUI) of Rome and to identify the most critical areas for intervention.