Advanced antibacterial materials for the prevention of nosocomial infections

Abstract

Nosocomial infections, as the most common adverse event in healthcare environments, have become an urgent global challenge. It is of great significance in solving nosocomial infections to improve patient survival rate and reduce the economic burden on patients. Antibacterial materials play a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of nosocomial infections. Since traditional antibacterial materials are not sufficient to satisfy the increasing clinical requirements, advanced antibacterial materials are widely developed in biomedical applications and hospital health fields, aiming at achieving more efficient, longer-lasting and safer antimicrobial effect. This article outlines the construction strategies and mechanisms of advanced antibacterial materials, including bacterial adhesion prevention, release of antibacterial agents, contact-kill materials and multi-strategy-based sterilization. Meanwhile, the latest progress of advanced antibacterial materials in clinical departments and public environments is summarized and explored, including dressings, medical sutures, implants, bone cements, catheters, plastics products, ceramics, and fiber fabrics. Finally, the challenges and future directions for researches, as well as translations of advanced antibacterial materials are discussed, providing comprehensive reference and guidance for the development of medical system and clinical application.