Uncovering the burden of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) in Indian hospitals: A review

Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) prevention and control continues to be a point of concern in terms of safety for both patients and healthcare professionals in the health care field. The true burden of HAI remains unknown, particularly in developing countries. The objective of the review is to provide an overview of HAI burden in Indian hospitals based on the evidences available in the published scientific literature. It also recognizes the inconsistency in the method of surveillance of HAI. A comprehensive search was made on PubMed-Medline, CINAHL, Proquest and Ind Med databases between 2010 and 2017 reporting the prevalence of HAI in India. A total of 47 studies are included in the literature review. Compared to the developed countries the HAI rates in Indian hospitals appears to be high. This could be adding to significantly increased burden on the health system by augmented morbidity and mortality. However, considering the diverse Indian population, further data would be required to assess meticulously the occurrence of various HAIs within different types of hospital settings throughout India.