Understanding HAIs

Healthcare-Associated Infections are infections that occur while receiving treatment in a healthcare environment.  Because of the use of antibiotics in healthcare settings, the strains of bacteria may differ and can cause more severe infections. 

• There are approximately 1.7 million healthcare-associated infections (HAI) annually in the US. 4.5 per 100 admissions.
• There are approximately 99,000 deaths per year
    - 36,000 due to pneumonia
    - 30,000 due to bloodstream infections
    - Balance due to site-specific infections
• Average cost per episode: ~$30,000

Many medical companies, including Bacterin, are doing their best to address HAIs by developing bioactive coatings for medical devices to address infection.  Learn more about how you can reduce the risk of HAIs by asking simple questions, such as requesting the staff wash their hands before contact, or asking your physician about bioactive coated products that may be available. 

To learn more about HAIs and how this issue is being addressed on a national scale, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for more information.
http://www.cdc.gov/hai/ or http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/