Meeting the Challenge of Hospital Acquired Infections

Nosocomial or healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) can be contracted by patients while receiving medical treatment in healthcare facilities. These infections are a major yet often preventable threat to patient safety. Joined by healthcare and public health partners, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Joint Commission are working to bring increased attention to HAIs and prevention methods. With the increased prevalence of superbugs (associated with the indiscriminate use and prescribing of antibiotics) and the emphasis on improving throughput in healthcare facilities (which can give rise to failures in terminal cleaning of procedural and patient rooms and equipment) HAIs remain a difficult problem to manage. Organizations like the Joint Commission and regulatory agencies such as the CDC and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have recently advised the healthcare industry of new standards to better manage this problem that will soon take effect.