New CDC Data Shows Decline in Healthcare-Associated Infections
CDC ·
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today released new data showing significant strides in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in hospitals across the United States. The new survey data shows that, in 2023, on any given day about 1 in 38 hospitalized patients had at least one HAI, compared with 1 in 31 patients in 2015. Even after accounting for differences in the patients included in the two surveys, patients in the 2023 survey were less likely to experience HAI than patients in the survey conducted in 2015. "CDC and CMS together are reducing healthcare-associated infections, a leading cause of mortality in America," said Acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD. "When federal agencies collaborate with specific goals and accountability, including use of quality measures, patients benefit from better care in clinical settings. More needs to be done but this effort is notable in its progress on a very challenging issue. I am pleased to see these efforts save lives and reduce the cost of care." The 2023 survey, from CDC's Emerging Infections Program (EIP), included 13,653 patients across 218 hospitals in 10 states. Trained staff reviewed medical records using National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definitions to identify HAIs. Despite this progress, HAIs remain a serious public health threat. An estimated 518,000 HAIs occurred in U.S. hospitals in 2023, costing billions of dollars and posing significant risks to American lives. Pneumonia, surgical site infections, and gastrointestinal infections were the most common HAIs, and 61% of all HAIs were not associated with medical devices or procedures . To help address this public health threat, CDC in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) maintains a system of quality reporting, facility feedback, benchmarking, and national transparency for major infection types through NHSN. Hospitals work to mitigate HAI through this CDC tracking system. The CDC also provides evidence-based guidance and recommendations for reducing these infections. "This is good news for patient safety and healthcare quality — we're thankful for the public health and healthcare partners that helped drive this progress," said Shelley Magill, MD, PhD, Acting Deputy Director for Science and Program of CDC's Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. "We are committed to working with partners to prioritize patient safety and invest in innovative strategies to further reduce healthcare-associated infections and protect the health of all Americans." "No patient should leave the hospital sicker than when they arrived," said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. "The drop in healthcare-associated infections shows that accountability and transparency are driving results. CMS is leveraging every oversight tool to hold providers to the highest standards of safety while working to lower unnecessary costs. Progress so far is promising, but preventable harm across our healthcare system must continue to decline." CDC expertise and programs have substantially contributed to this decline. CDC's Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP) has invested millions of dollars in every U.S. state and has worked with dozens of healthcare facilities, professional organizations, patient groups, and other public health partners to prevent infections in healthcare settings and improve the appropriate use of antibiotics. In addition, CMS, through its national Quality Improvement Organization networks, has also worked directly with hospitals to help prevent these HAIs. The survey found significant reductions in central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and Clostridioides difficile infections — trends consistent with national prevention efforts and improved infection control practices. However, rates of surgical site infections and pneumonia showed little change, highlighting areas where additional prevention strategies are urgently needed. The findings were published in The New England Journal of Medicine and provide updated evidence to guide hospitals, clinicians, and policymakers in advancing safer healthcare nationwide. More information on CDC's Emerging Infections Program (EIP) and this data can be found here . ### U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC’s world-leading experts protect lives and livelihoods, national security and the U.S. economy by providing timely, commonsense information, and rapidly identifying and responding to diseases, including outbreaks and illnesses. CDC drives science, public health research, and data innovation in communities across the country by investing in local initiatives to protect everyone’s health.
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