32
INFECTION
PREVENTION
/
HAND
HYGIENE
CDC Report Outlines New Approach for
HAI Reduction
By Max Green
T
hat is the number of hospital-acquired
infection cases that could be averted in the
next five years by following a coordinated,
two-part approach, according to a new CDC-led
report.
e CDC's latest mathematical modeling reflects
anticipated increases in drug-resistant infections,
including Clostridium difficile, if no immediate,
nationwide infection control and antibiotic
prescription improvements are made. e research
shows that a coordinated response, rather than
having hospitals, nursing homes and long-term
acute care facilities make individual changes, could
reduce infections by 74 percent over five years.
Here is the two-pronged approach that could
help prevent illness and save lives, according to the
CDC.
1. Public health departments track and alert
healthcare facilities to drug-resistant germ
outbreaks in their area and the threat of germs
coming from other facilities.
2. Healthcare facilities work together and with
public health authorities to implement shared
infection control actions to stop the spread of
antibiotic-resistant germs and C. diff between
facilities.
"Antibiotic-resistant infections in healthcare
settings are a growing threat in the U.S., killing tens
of thousands of people each year," Tom Frieden,
MD, director of the CDC, said in a statement. "New
CDC modeling shows that we can dramatically
reduce these infections if healthcare facilities,
nursing homes and public health departments work
together to improve antibiotic use and infection
control so patients are protected." n
619,000.
could reduce
infections by
74% over five
years
TRACK & ALERT
drug-resistant germ
outbreaks
+
WORK TOGETHER
to implement infection
control actions
