Healthcare-Associated Infections Declined in 2023, CDC Reports

Why it matters locally: The reported decline in healthcare-associated infections is relevant to Virginia as local hospitals and healthcare systems will be striving to meet or exceed national patient safety benchmarks.

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a decrease in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) for 2023. This reduction signals changes in patient safety practices within medical facilities. Hospital-acquired infections, also known as HAIs, refer to infections patients contract while receiving medical care for other conditions. Medical professionals track these infections to monitor patient safety standards.