Hospital patients at risk of catching an infection

More than one in nine patients here catch a bug while hospitalised. Half the patients in hospital are on at least one antimicrobial, the umbrella term for antibiotics, antifungal and antiviral medication. These are the key results of the first national study that points out areas where hospitals can improve on patient care. Senior health correspondent Salma Khalik reports the findings.

A study from July 2015 to February 2016 involving 5,415 adult patients in 13 acute hospitals here found that 11.9 per cent caught an infection while being treated for other conditions. PHOTO: ST FILE
Salma Khalik
Senior Health Correspondent
Updated
Apr 10, 2019, 06:54 AM
Published
Oct 02, 2018, 05:00 AM
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Patients warded in a hospital - public or private - have a high risk of catching a bug during their stay.

A comprehensive study from July 2015 to February 2016 involving 5,415 adult patients in 13 acute hospitals here found that 11.9 per cent - or more than one in nine - caught an infection while being treated for other conditions.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

ST One Digital

 $9.90/month

No contract

ST app access on 1 mobile device

Subscribe now

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 02, 2018, with the headline Hospital patients at risk of catching an infection. Subscribe

Available for
iPhones and iPads
Available in
Google Play

MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

Back to the top