[Hospital infection, risk and consequences].

Approximately 5 to 10% of all patients acquire infections at the time of their hospitalisation. The most common nosocomial infections are urinary tract infections, wound infections, pneumonias and septicemias. Deaths due to nosocomial septicemias are estimated to be in Switzerland around 1000 per year. The treatment of nosocomial infections consumes a considerable amount of the total health care budget. The annual costs in Switzerland are estimated to be in the range of 100 to 300 million swiss francs per year. Prevention and control of nosocomial infections is therefore considered essential.