Device-associated BSIs account for significant numbers of HAIs in United States healthcare facilities and evidence supports a need to implement a more comprehensive prevention strategy that addresses all types of intravenous catheters .
HAI surveillance and improvement for non-ventilator hospital acquired pneumonia . Non-ventilator hospital acquired pneumonia is the most common in the U . S . affecting about 1 % of all hospitalized patients with a crude mortality of 15 percent to 30 percent .
HAI surveillance and improvement for ventilator-associated pneumonia ( VAP ). Updated definitions for ventilator associated events ( VAE ) will enhance consistency , accuracy , and reproducibility of surveillance information in this category .
HAI surveillance and improvement for urinary tract infections ( UTIs ). UTIs represent a common diagnosis for patients in the ambulatory , acute , and long-term care setting including in patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria being prevalent with older age , diabetes , impaired voiding , and urinary catheterization . A urinalysis and urine culture are too often and mistakenly ordered resulting in a misdiagnosis of an “ infection ” versus bacteriuria leading to inappropriate antibiotic treatment [ see No . 7 ].
HAI surveillance and improvement for surgical site infections
( SSI ). An ongoing examination of the surgical care bundle ( s ) is critical for patient care and a reduction in HAIs , AMR , and patient stay .
The 21st century has seen a concerning number of old foes and novel microbial agents emerge ( or reemerge ) globally . Emerging pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 , Ebola , Nipah , Marburg , Candida auris , ringworm , antimicrobial resistant pathogens , and many other dangerous microbes are in the headlines daily . IPs and others must conduct research addressing the appropriate control of patients with emerging diseases to include methodologies to improve early identification , surge management , isolation , and reprocessing .
For the complete recommendations for change in infection prevention programs and practice , see Table 1 in the “ Recommendations for change in infection prevention programs and practice ” AJIC article .
Rodney E . Rohde , PhD , MS , SM ( ASCP ) CM SVCM , MBCM , FACSc , serves as chair and professor of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program at Texas State University . Follow him on Twitter @ RodneyRohde / @ TXST _ CLS , or on his website : http :// rodneyerohde . wp . txstate . edu /