Sepsis acquired in hospitals is most commonly from what?

• A. Urinary catheters and IVs
• B. Ventilators
• C. Surgical drains
• D. Blood transfusions

Answer: (A)

In hospitals, sepsis most often arises from invasive devices that breach natural barriers, especially urinary catheters and IV lines. These devices frequently stay in place for days and provide surfaces for bacteria to form biofilms, making it easier for organisms to enter the bloodstream or ascend the urinary tract. Because catheter and line use is so common and persistent in hospitalized patients, they become the leading sources of infection that can progress to sepsis. Prevention focuses on limiting device use, using strict aseptic technique for insertion, meticulous care, and removing devices as soon as they’re no longer needed. While ventilators, surgical drains, and blood transfusions can also be associated with infections, they are less commonly the primary source of hospital-acquired sepsis compared with IV lines and urinary catheters.