01/27/26 Public Health Education Topic: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)

Per CDC:

Key Points

• Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients get while or soon after receiving health care.

• HAIs are a serious threat to healthcare safety.

• Preventing HAIs is a top priority for CDC and its partners in public health and health care.

  Causes

  Germs that cause HAIs can spread through unclean hands or improper use or reuse of equipment between patients, providers, staff and visitors. Healthcare procedures can also expose you to germs that cause HAIs.

  Examples of HAIs

  HAIs can be caused by many different germs and include:

  • Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)

  • Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)

  • Surgical site infections (SSI)

  • Ventilator-associated pneumonia

  
  

  Impacts

• HAIs cause sickness, death, and add billions of dollars to healthcare costs each year

Recommendations

Patients and caregivers

• Wash their hands often with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Remind people (including healthcare staff) to clean their hands before touching the patient or handling medical devices.

Keep Reading: Tips for Being a Safe Patient

To learn more please visit: About HAIs | HAIs | CDC