Hospital Practices and Research

Abstract Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) face a persistent challenge in controlling healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), with reported rates ranging from 6% to 25% globally. While traditional infection control strategies have focused on symptomatic patients and high-risk groups, a growing body of evidence suggests that “silent spreaders,” asymptomatic carriers of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) among healthcare workers, parents, and neonates themselves may represent a critical blind spot in current surveillance paradigms. If this is the case, then fundamental assumptions underpinning NICU infection control may warrant reexamination. We argue that existing approaches, which rely heavily on active surveillance cultures (ASCs) and hand hygiene compliance, are structurally ill-suited to detect asymptomatic transmission. Emerging genomic, environmental, and data-driven methodologies offer not merely incremental improvements but a necessary reconceptualization of surveillance itself.

Abstract Patient safety is a fundamental principle in healthcare, enshrined as a basic right of patients and a core responsibility of nurses. Negligence in ensuring safety can lead to adverse outcomes for patients and healthcare providers alike. Within the discourse on patient safety, two related yet distinct concepts emerge: "safe care" and "care safety." While these terms may appear synonymous, their differences have significant implications for nursing practice. This letter explores these concepts, contrasts their applications, and argues for the prioritization of safe care, supported by empirical evidence and practical examples.