healthcare-associated infections (HAI) program

Making Healthcare Safer for All Californians
Healthcare-Associated Infections in California Hospitals Annual Report, 2020

For the past five years, CDPH annually reported on California hospitals’ incremental progress towards achieving 2020 HAI prevention goals. By 2019, California hospitals’ HAI incidence was significantly lower than national baselines for all reportable infection types, and nearly 30 percent of hospitals were on track to achieve 2020 reduction targets for at least three infection types. In 2020, however, California hospitals’ statewide incidence for central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (MRSA BSI) were higher when compared with the prior year and had returned to 2015 levels.

Our findings of substantial and significant increases in CLABSI and MRSA BSI mirror the national experience. A growing body of literature cites multiple factors that likely contribute to increased HAI incidence and emergence and spread of AR during the COVID-19 pandemic, including: diversion of resources from infection prevention activities; disruptions in routine care practices; personal protective equipment (PPE) supply shortages and conservation (extended use and reuse); PPE overuse with multiple gown and glove layers; and antimicrobial prescribing changes.

CDPH is engaging the California HAI Advisory Committee and other hospital partners to identify and support implementation of strategies for building resiliency and maintaining the highest possible quality hospital infection prevention and control practices while managing ongoing pandemic- and surge-related challenges.