New research published in the New England Journal of Medicine examined the rate of healthcare associated infections through a point-prevalence survey.
Researchers recruited up to 25 hospitals at Emerging Infectious Program sites in 10 states. Each hospital chose one day to assess a random sample of patients for healthcare associated infections based on medical records. A total 12,299 patients across 199 hospitals were surveyed in 2015, with the results compared to an infection survey conducted in 2011.
Here are the key research insights to know:
1. Healthcare associated infections were lower in 2015 with 394 infections, to 452 in 2011.
2. Surgical site infections, pneumonia and gastrointestinal infections were the most common healthcare-related infections.
3. "The prevalence of healthcare–associated infections was lower in 2015 than in 2011. To continue to make progress in the prevention of such infections, prevention strategies against C. difficile infection and pneumonia should be augmented," the researchers concluded.