CDC has released the 2020 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Progress Report showing significant increases between 2019 and 2020 in some HAIs for some facility types, including: a 35% increase in the standardized infection ratio (SIR) for ventilator-associated events (VAEs), 24% increase in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), and a 15% increase in hospital-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for acute care hospitals. While some infections increased between 2019 and 2020, all 2020 national SIRs except VAEs remain below the 2015 baseline SIR of 1, or a “reference point” for measuring progress, in acute care hospitals. Other HAIs were unchanged between 2019 and 2020 or showed a significant decrease. This progress in infection prevention is a testament to the dedication of healthcare providers across the country to protect patients from harm despite unprecedented challenges in 2020.
The report includes data reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) across four healthcare settings: acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs), and long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs).
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