Hospital-acquired infections declined in 2024, CDC says

Most hospital-acquired infections decreased at U.S. acute care hospitals from 2023 to 2024, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, marking a continued decline from the highs recorded during the pandemic. Central line-associated bloodstream infections decreased by 9%, catheter-associated urinary tract infections fell by 10%, and hospital-onset Clostridioides difficile infections decreased by 11%. The report represents the third consecutive year of declines in hospital-acquired infections at U.S. hospitals, following significant increases in 2020 and 2021 due to increased demand for hospital resources during the pandemic, amid staffing and supply shortages. The report recommended providers continue reinforcing prevention practices, review hospital-acquired infection surveillance data to identify areas for improvement and address any gaps in prevention practices. (CIDRAP news release, 2/2/26)