Nosocomial: Hospital-acquired

Major contributors to nosocomial infections include the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, poor hygiene practices by healthcare providers, incompetent staffing, substandard practices and apathy on the part of healthcare providers. Nosocomial, derived from Latin, means "hospital-acquired". The term is used to shield hospitals from the "embarrassment" of germ-related deaths and injuries, injuries leading to death exacerbated by hospital cutbacks and carelessness by doctors and nurses.

To a distinctly greater extent or degree, nosocomial infections often can be identified by clinical criteria alone, such as through ongoing concurrent medical record review.