REVIEW OF PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS 2025

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant threat to patient safety, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs globally. Pharmacological interventions are pivotal in preventing HAIs and addressing antimicrobial resistance.

Objective: This narrative review explores key pharmacological strategies for preventing HAIs, including prophylactic antibiotics, antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs), infection prevention bundles, and innovative approaches like probiotic cleaning systems.

Methods: The review synthesizes recent literature on established and emerging HAI prevention strategies, evaluating their efficacy, challenges, and applicability across diverse healthcare settings.

Results: Prophylactic antibiotics are highly effective in reducing surgical site infections when used judiciously, while ASPs optimize antibiotic use and combat resistance. Infection prevention bundles, incorporating evidence-based practices like hand hygiene and catheter care, significantly lower bloodstream infection rates. Innovative approaches, such as probiotic cleaning systems, offer sustainable solutions to reduce environmental contamination. However, challenges remain, including variable adherence to protocols, resource constraints, and the need for scalable solutions in low-resource settings.

Conclusion: Pharmacological interventions, when integrated with multidisciplinary approaches, are crucial for reducing HAI rates and improving patient outcomes. Future research should focus on scalable innovations and context-specific strategies to enhance infection prevention globally.

Keywords: Healthcare-associated infections, Antimicrobial stewardship, Prophylactic antibiotics, Infection prevention bundles, Multidrug resistance, Patient safety.