Nosocomial infections are a major source of revenue loss, morbidity, and even mortality to surgical patients. This review presents current issues regarding nosocomial infections and nosocomial pneumonias. This study is a literature review that presents material on nosocomial infections in general and details regarding Clostridium difficile and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infections. Nosocomial infections, including pneumonias, are serious medical complications, and prevention by strict adherence to barrier precaution is the most important means of protecting the patient from hospital-acquired bacterial flora.