Hospital Infections: Some Progress, but More Work Needed

Today, CDC released two new reports that detail national estimates of HAIs and report on national and state-specific progress toward preventing HAIs. These reports show that progress is being made, but three-quarters of a million infections still threaten hospital patients.

The reports found:

• On any given day, 1 in 25 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection.
• About 75,000 hospital patients with HAIs died during their hospitalizations.
• Nationally, progress is being made in preventing certain infections, including central line-associated bloodstream infections, infections related to 10 types of surgery, hospital-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections, and hospital-onset Clostridium difficile infections.
• The most common germs causing HAIs were C. difficile or deadly diarrhea; Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA; Klebsiella; E. coli; Enterococcus; and Pseudomonas. 

These reports highlight new challenges that will require prevention efforts moving forward. Everyone, including patients and their advocates, healthcare providers, and public health agencies, can play a role in preventing HAIs.

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Michael Bell, MD

Biography

"There is work to be done everywhere patients receive care. This information should result in action at all levels of public health and medical care. Patients rely on us to protect them. While we have made progress as a country, we must continue this battle each day until care is safer in every state and every facility."

Michael Bell, MD - Deputy Director of CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion