A nosocomial infection refers to infections that are contracted as a result of hospital or other medical service treatment.  Commonly known as hospital acquired infections, nosocomial infections are often acquired by persons who have had surgical procedures performed.   Other conditions in the medical space such as poor sanitation, mistakes by health care practitioners, or inadequate decontamination of equipment can lead to patients and other health care employees contracting an infection.

These incidents may lead to disease or even death and among the leading contributors to health care malpractice law suits.