HAIs declined 2015 to 2023: CDC

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) declined 27% from 2015 to 2023, according to a recent CDC survey published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The decline was driven by reductions in C. difficile infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), and non-ventilator-associated pneumonia, while surgical site infections (SSI) rose slightly. HAIs that were not linked to a procedure or device also increased modestly from 60.2% of all HAIs in 2015 to 61.3% in 2023. The decline reflects years of concerted anti-infection interventions across healthcare settings. HAIs remain a key measure of patient safety and influence patient choice, reimbursement penalties, and value-based incentives.