Preventing Healthcare Associated Infections
Healthcare-Associated Infections Foundation
Deborah Yokoe, MD, MPH
Hospital Epidemiologist
BWH & DFCI 

Background: Impact of HAIs

• 5-10% of hospitalized patients develop a HAI
   -99,000 deaths per year
   -$20 billion per year1

• Risks of serious HAI complications are highest for patients requiring intensive care.

   -Sicker patient population

   -More complex procedures and equipment

   -Increasing antimicrobial resistance

Community-associated vs. Healthcareassociated infections

• Community-associated = exposure and onset in community

• Healthcare-associated = exposure and onset in a healthcare setting

Colonized vs. infected

• People who carry bacteria without evidence of infection (e.g., fever) are colonized

• If an infection develops, it is often associated with bacteria that patients are colonized with

• Bacteria that colonize patients can be transmitted from one patient to another by

the hands of healthcare workers

~ Bacteria can be transmitted even if the patient is not infected ~