Hospital-acquired infections in ageing Vietnamese population: current situation and solution

Abstract

Hospital-acquired infection (HAI) is a growing problem all around the world particularly for countries with aging and high-density population such as Vietnam. In this review, we summarized the current status of HAIs in Vietnam regarding types of infection, rates of infection, hospital-stay duration and cost of treatment, and provided an overview with suggestions on strategies in combating these infections especially in Vietnamese settings. From quite dispersed and varied data reported in English and Vietnamese, we have seen HAI rates of less than 10%. Over the years, the HAIs in Vietnam remained quite stable and even slightly decreased in recent years. Among all HAIs, respiratory tract infections are the most common, occurring in up to 80% of cases. Most Vietnamese statistical data on the etiology of HAIs focused on bacterial HAIs, mostly Candidiasis, whereas limited information was found on fungal infections, nosocomial viral and other parasitic infections. The most important HAI causative pathogens in Vietnamese hospitals include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida species. There is absolutely few scientific data, but web-based information on HAIs treatment cost and measures to control the infections were found. Works are reported to be implemented to control HAIs in Vietnam at both national and hospital level. However, further improvement in controlling HAIs in Vietnam should be considered.