What Does HAI Mean in Medical Terms?

HAI stands for healthcare-associated infection. Infection acquired during medical care.

healthcare-associated infection

Infection acquired during medical care.

Where you will see HAI

You will most often see HAI in medical charts and clinical notes, microbiology results and infection-control notes, nursing notes, care plans and handovers.

Example

A chart note might use “HAI” as shorthand for healthcare-associated infection when documenting a patient's care.

Related abbreviations

Browse the full Medical Abbreviations guide — 5,715 entries, searchable A–Z and by specialty.

Educational reference only. This guide is for learning and quick reference. Abbreviations vary between hospitals, countries and specialties, and some are discouraged because they can be misread. Always write and interpret orders using your own institution’s approved abbreviation list, and check anything unclear with the prescriber or your local policy.