Healthcare-Associated Infections

Did You Know? is a feature from the Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support to inform your prevention activities. We invite you to read, share, and take action!

March 8, 2019

More than 119,000 people had bloodstream staph infections in 2017, and almost 20,000 died, according to the latest Vital Signs report.
Hospital infection control efforts successfully reduced rates of serious staph infections until 2013, when progress began to slow.
Many hospitals have prevented staph infections and the spread of staph by following CDC recommendations, including Contact Precautions; additional prevention steps, like decolonization, might also help.

April 6, 2018

New nationwide laboratory testing in 2017 uncovered more than 220 instances of germs with “unusual” antibiotic resistance genes, according to the latest Vital Signs report.
Increased detection and early, aggressive response at the first sign of unusual resistance could prevent an estimated 1,600 cases of carbapenam-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in one state over three years.
Health departments can work with healthcare facilities and laboratories to implement an aggressive containment strategy and be ready to respond rapidly when unusual resistance strikes.

January 27, 2017

CDC’s newly released Winnable Battles final report shows meaningful improvements in key public health areas.
Since 2009, rates of teen births and youth and adult smoking have declined significantly, and between 2008 and 2014, central line-associated bloodstream infections in acute care hospitals decreased by 50%.
A color-coded dashboard shows where more work is needed, especially in obesity, foodborne illness, and motor vehicle injuries.

March 4, 2016

People who receive medical care can get serious infections called healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which can lead to sepsis or death.
In certain kinds of hospitals, 1 in 4 HAIs are caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are urgent and serious threats to health.
Healthcare professionals should adopt critical actions with every patient every time to prevent HAIs and stop the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Did You Know? information and web links are current as of their publication date. They may become outdated over time.

Page last reviewed: October 11, 2016