News: CDC finds healthcare-acquired infections declined in 2022

A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that healthcare-associated infections in acute care hospitals have “decreased significantly,” according to Medscape. The report examined data from 38,000 acute care and critical access hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and long-term acute care hospitals.

Here are some of the highlights of the CDC report regarding acute care hospitals:

• Between 2021 and 2022, there was an overall 9% decrease in central line-associated blood stream infections, with the largest decrease occurring in intensive care units (ICU) at 21%
• Between 2021 and 2022, there was an overall 12% decrease in catheter-associated urinary tract infections, with largest decrease occurring in ICUs at 27%
• Between 2021 and 2022, there was an overall 19% decrease in ventilator-associated events, with an 18% decrease in ICUs, as well as a 37% decrease in non-ICUs
• Between 2021 and 2022, there was 16% decrease in hospital onset MRSA bacteremia
• Between 2021 and 2022, there was a 3% decrease in hospital onset C. difficile infections

According to Medscape, Deborah Yokoe, MD, MPH, president of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), replied to these developments saying:

Under the leadership of healthcare epidemiologists and infection preventionists, acute care facilities have made substantial progress in shifting attention that was understandably focused on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic back to broader infection prevention initiatives that protect our patients from a wide range of infections.

Despite these remarkable improvements, the report noted that approximately one in 31 patients, and one in 43 nursing home residents, contract at least one infection while in care-related setting—leaving much work to be done.

Editor’s note: To read the Medscape article, click here. To read the CDC report, click here.