What are "hospital-acquired conditions" (HACs)?

Hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) refer to health issues that patients develop during their stay in a hospital, which were not present upon admission. The significance of this definition lies in the fact that many of these conditions are preventable and can severely impact the quality of care that patients receive. Examples of HACs often include infections, pressure ulcers, and certain complications related to medical procedures or the hospital environment itself. The identification and reduction of HACs are critical as they not only affect patient outcomes but also the quality metrics and financial consequences for healthcare facilities.

The other options mischaracterize what HACs represent. For instance, conditions treated before admission do not fall under this definition, as they exist prior to the patient's hospital stay. Conditions that require surgery are not specifically connected to being hospital-acquired, as many surgeries may be planned or unplanned but do not inherently define HACs. Finally, conditions that do not affect patient care contradict the very essence of HACs, which are closely linked to the adverse impacts on health quality and patient safety during hospitalization.