State of Infection Prevention Efforts in US Hospitals

Source: CDC.gov

Here is the  latest CDC release on the state of infection prevention in US Hospitals. We have further work ahead to reduce hospital acquired infections and most, if not all, hospitals cannot claim uniform implementation and adherence of infection prevention best practices.

To quote Dr. Frieden of the CDC:

"Although there has been some progress, today and every day, more than 200 Americans with healthcare-associated infections will die during their hospital stay” 

It should be clear though that all infections are likely not preventable. The current state of infection prevention science cannot eliminate all infections. For the interested reader, I will refer you to this paper on estimating the proportion of healthcare associated infections that are preventable .

Infection prevention science is not yet salvation from hospital acquired infections.