Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients get while they are receiving healthcare or soon after receiving healthcare. These infections are largely considered preventable adverse events that can be reduced or eliminated with strict adherence to evidence-based infection prevention guidelines (Gidey et al., 2023).
On any given day, approximately 1 in 31 hospital patients and 1 in 43 nursing home residents have at least one HAI. In 2024, there were an estimated 687,000 HAIs in U.S. acute care hospitals, leading to approximately 72,000 deaths during hospitalization (CDC, 2026, January 29).
HAIs can be acquired anywhere healthcare is delivered, including:
- Inpatient acute care hospitals
- Outpatient settings such as ambulatory surgical centers
- End-stage renal disease (dialysis) centers
- Long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and rehabilitation centers
Most fall into the following four categories:
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)
- Surgical site infections (SSI)
- Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
HAIs can be caused by any infectious agent, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Infections are associated with the use of indwelling medical devices, surgical procedures, post-operative wound care, and contamination of the healthcare surfaces and equipment.
HAIs are also caused by transmission of communicable diseases between patients and healthcare workers and overuse or improper use of antibiotics, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance.
In accordance with NYS public health law §2819, acute care hospitals have been required to report HAIs since 2007. In 2023, NYS required hospitals to report SSIs, CLABSIs, CDIs (Clostridioides difficile infections), and CRE (Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter ales infections). In addition, hospitals must report data to National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) (NYSDOH, 2025 July).