Written by Michael Davis, MPH, and Morgan Michalkiewicz, MPH

About HAIs

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are not just statistics. They are daily challenges that affect patient safety, increase staff workload, compromise quality of care, and contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. As prevention efforts evolve, understanding where risks begin, both inside health care facilities and in the community, is more important than ever. Recognizing how small actions can reduce risk is equally critical.

Prevention and Impact

SHAIs develop during the course of medical or surgical care in health care settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics.^1,2 Common examples include central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), surgical site infections (SSIs), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).¹

 These infections are particularly concerning because many are preventable through evidence-based interventions. Infection prevention strategies such as proper hand hygiene, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), environmental cleaning, and antimicrobial stewardship have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing transmission.^1,2 

Despite progress, HAIs persist due to a combination of factors including antimicrobial resistance, the growing complexity of medical care (such as invasive procedures and immunosuppressive therapies), and prolonged hospital stays.²

Connection to Community-Onset Infections

Closely related to HAIs are community-onset infections. These infections are identified within the first 48 hours of hospital admission and originate outside a health care setting.³ For example, a person who develops symptoms of pneumonia at home and is diagnosed shortly after being admitted to the hospital would be considered to have a community-onset infection. 

Community-onset infections highlight the interconnectedness of health care and community settings. Pathogens do not remain confined within hospital walls. Instead, they move across settings through patients, health care workers, and the broader community.

Path Forward

From 2023 to 2024, most HAI rates in the United States have decreased significantly, particularly CLABSIs and CAUTIs. Among hospitals that treat acute infections in 2024, 46 states have reported decreased HAI rates when compared with the national baseline in 2015.⁴ These improvements demonstrate the impact of sustained prevention efforts. However, continued progress depends on strong collaboration. Public health agencies at the local, state, and federal levels must work closely with health care facilities to strengthen infection-prevention efforts, improve data sharing, and support consistent use of proven best practices.

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Sources 
1.    About HAIs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. June 27, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/healthcare-associated-infections/about/index.html

2.    Tobin EH, Zahra F. Nosocomial infections. StatPearls. 2026. Updated August 2, 2025. Accessed April 15, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559312  

3.    Laupland KB, Church DL. Population-based epidemiology and microbiology of community-onset bloodstream infections. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2014;27(4):647-664. doi:10.1128/CMR.00002-14

4.    Current HAI Progress Report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 29, 2026. Accessed April 17, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/healthcare-associated-infections/php/data/progress-report.html