The term healthcare-associated infection (HAI) refers to infections acquired by patients in healthcare environments,
such as hospitals, long term care facilities and clinics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), HAIs are one of the top ten leading causes of death in the US, killing more Americans each
year than AIDS,
breast cancer, and auto accidents combined.
A variety of harmful organisms can be transmitted in healthcare settings, causing a wide range of diseases. Many of these organisms are resistant to one or more antibiotics and are in a class known as multi drug resistant organisms (MDROs). One of the most common and dangerous MDROs is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is among an emerging class known as superbugs. Studies have shown that 6 out of 7 people infected with MRSA contract it in a healthcare facility.
The CDC has estimated that one of every 22 patients, or 1.7 million patients, will get an infection while hospitalized. Of these patients, 99,000 will die, from what often begins as a routine procedure. Experts say the cost of treating the infections amounts to tens of billions of dollars.
Meanwhile, regulatory and advocacy groups are putting greater pressure on hospitals to control infections and their costs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a plan in October of 2008 to eliminate Medicare reimbursement payments for certain HAIs that CMS deems preventable.
