HAI Prevalence Lower in 2023 Than in 2015 but Overall Progress Still Needs to be Made

Aug. 20, 2026

Prevalence surveys in U.S. hospitals showed that on any given day, 1 of 25 patients had a healthcare–associated infection (HAI) in 2011, as compared with 1 of 31 patients in 2015. Chea, et al. (2026) repeated the survey in 2023 to assess changes in the prevalence of such infections.

Using established methods, 10 Emerging Infections Program (EIP) sites recruited up to 25 hospitals each. Hospitals selected a survey day between May 1 and Sept. 30, 2023. EIP staff reviewed medical records of randomly selected patients to identify healthcare–associated infections using National Healthcare Safety Network definitions. The researchers described patient and hospital characteristics, compared the prevalence of HAIs in 2023 and 2015, and estimated the national burden of HAIs in 2023.

In 2023, of 13,653 patients in 218 hospitals, 355 (2.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3 to 2.9) had at least one health care–associated infection, as compared with 394 of 12,299 patients (3.2%; 95% CI, 2.9 to 3.5) in 199 hospitals in 2015. Approximately 60% of the HAIs were not associated with devices or procedures. Among 151 hospitals in both surveys, patients were less likely to have a HAI in 2023 than in 2015, after adjustment for other factors (risk ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.85). The researchers estimated that there were 518,000 HAIs (95% CI, 494,500 to 542,000) in U.S. hospitals in 2023.

Reference: Chea N, Rongxia L, et al. Health Care–Associated Infections in U.S. Hospitals, 2023 versus 2015. N Engl J Med 2026;395:255-266. Vol. 395 No. 3 Published July 15, 2026. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2510881

Strong, Evidence-based Leadership at CDC is Essential, SHEA Says

Courtesy of CDC

July 13, 2026

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) says it is excited that the Senate has scheduled time to review the nomination of a new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At a time when the nation continues to face evolving public health threats, strong, trusted, and qualified leadership at the CDC is essential to protecting the health and safety of all Americans, SHEA says

“The United States stands at a critical crossroads, where evidence-based public health leadership is needed to strengthen confidence in science, guide effective responses to emerging health challenges, and ensure the nation is prepared for future threats.,” SHEA notes, adding, “The CDC plays a vital role in advancing infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, disease surveillance, outbreak response, and public health preparedness. Its ability to fulfill this mission depends on stable, credible leadership grounded in scientific integrity. While perspectives on public health policy may differ, the need for experienced leadership that prioritizes evidence-based decision-making and supports the CDC’s core mission remains paramount.”

SHEA says it urges the Senate to give timely consideration to the nomination of Dr. Erica Schwartz to serve as director of the CDC. “Schwartz brings the experience, expertise, and leadership necessary to guide the agency at a time when trusted, science-driven public health leadership is essential. If confirmed, she should be empowered to lead the CDC with the authority and credibility needed to strengthen the nation’s public health infrastructure and restore confidence in this vital institution. SHEA looks forward to partnering with Dr. Schwartz and the CDC to advance infection prevention, combat antimicrobial resistance, strengthen antimicrobial stewardship, and improve the health and safety of patients and healthcare personnel across the country,” SHEA says.

Source: Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

APIC and SHEA Appoint Subject Matter Experts to Healthcare Infection Prevention Advisory Group (HIPAG) to Advance National Infection Prevention Leadership

June 01, 2026

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) announced the official launch of the Healthcare Infection Prevention Advisory Group (HIPAG), a new national expert advisory initiative established to help ensure continuity, coordination, and leadership in infection prevention and control (IPC) expert input and collaboration across the healthcare continuum.

HIPAG was formed to help identify and address gaps in infection prevention and control expertise, and to support the implementation of clinical standards wherever healthcare is delivered. HIPAG will serve as a national resource for expertise in infection prevention and the spread of antimicrobial resistance in healthcare, helping to review and contextualize evolving evidence, identify areas requiring clarification, and support rapid-response approaches during emerging infectious disease threats and infection-related public health challenges. The group will also support alignment around evidence-based practices that enhance patient and healthcare personnel safety in acute care, ambulatory, and long-term care settings.

HIPAG Representatives

• Rebecca Alvino, RN, MS, CNS, CIC, CNOR, CRCST, FAPIC: System Director, Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, UC Davis Health
• Tania Bubb, PhD, RN, CIC, AL-CIP, FAPIC (APIC Chair): Senior Director, Infection Prevention & Control, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Rashida Conway, RN, MSN, CIC: Director Infection Prevention and Control, Kaiser Permanente
• Brooke Decker, MD: VA Deputy Chief of Staff/VISN4 Hospital Epidemiologist, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
• Erin Epson, MD: Medical Director & Chief, Healthcare-Associated Infections Program, California Department of Public Health
• Jennifer Hanrahan, DO, MSc: Chair, Department of Medicine, Marshall University       
• Claire Jai, MSc, CIC: Assistant Vice President Infection Prevention, Methodist Healthcare System & HCA Healthcare
• Lela Luper, RN, CIC, FAPIC, T-CHEST: Manager – Infection Prevention and Control, Chickasaw Nation Department of Health
• Tara Millson, DNP, RN, CIC, FAPIC: Regional Director of Infection Prevention, Medstar Health,
• Russ Olmstead, MPH, CIC: Director, Infection Prevention & Control, Trinity Health
• Cindy Prins, PhD (Vice-Chair): Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Central Florida
• Amy Spallone, MD: Chief Infection Control Officer, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center      
• Mike Sebert, MD: Medical Director, Infection Prevention, Children’s Medical Center Dallas UT Southwestern Medical Center             
• Mike Stevens, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA: System Chief Quality Officer/ Professor of Internal Medicine/ Infectious Diseases, West Virginia University Health System/ School of Medicine
• Gabriela Andujar Vazquez, MD: Infectious Diseases Physician & Medical Director Infection Prevention, Dartmouth Health
• Sharon Wright, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FSHEA (SHEA Chair): Chief Infection Prevention Officer, Beth Israel Lahey Health

“HIPAG brings together nationally recognized experts with deep experience across infection prevention, healthcare epidemiology, antimicrobial stewardship, public health, and frontline healthcare operations,” said Kathy Ward, RN, BSN, MPH, FAPIC, CIC President of APIC. “APIC is proud to help convene a multidisciplinary group of leaders whose expertise reflects the complexity of today’s healthcare environment and the urgent need for practical, evidence-based infection prevention guidance.”

“The selection of HIPAG members reflects a deliberate effort to ensure broad scientific expertise, frontline experience, and diverse perspectives from across the healthcare continuum,” said Lisa Maragakis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FSHEA, president of SHEA. “SHEA is excited to partner with APIC in building a trusted expert advisory group that can provide timely expert input on emerging infectious threats and public health challenges and support alignment around evidence-informed practices that protect patients and healthcare personnel nationwide.”

Additional information about HIPAG will be announced in the coming months.

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is a professional association for infection preventionists with a mission to create a safer world through the prevention of infection.

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is a professional society representing physicians and other healthcare professionals in the fields of healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention, and antimicrobial stewardship.

APIC and SHEA Announce Joint Healthcare Infection Prevention Advisory Group

December 4, 2025

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) have announced a new collaborative initiative, the Healthcare Infection Prevention Advisory Group (HIPAG), to address infection prevention priorities of national importance.

The elimination of the CDC’s Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) has created gaps in coordinated, multidisciplinary alignment on infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship issues, raising concerns, about potential variation and inconsistencies in organizational policies and clinical practice. HIPAG was established to help fill these gaps and ensure continuity by offering timely, evidence-informed advisory expertise that supports the needs of participating organizations and the broader healthcare community.

This initiative reflects a shared commitment to enhancing transparency, inclusivity, and scientific rigor in national infection prevention discussions.

APIC and SHEA believe that this group, which will include invited representative experts across medical societies, healthcare organizations, public health, and patient advocacy groups, will help maintain a unified approach to infection prevention as new challenges and emerging threats continue to evolve.

HIPAG is intended to prevent fragmented or duplicative efforts, promote alignment and strengthen collaboration by connecting subject matter experts across disciplines and care settings.

“HIPAG must reflect the full breadth of expertise and experience in infection prevention and epidemiology,” said David Weber, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FSHEA, FRSM, president of SHEA. “We are inviting expert representatives from key medical, public health, and patient groups to ensure broad and inclusive engagement across disciplines. Evidence-informed infection prevention policies save lives—there’s no room for compromise. We owe it to our patients and our field to get this right.”

“APIC is proud to partner with SHEA and our colleagues across healthcare and public health in this essential initiative,” said Carol McLay, DrPH, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, FSHEA, 2025 APIC president. “HIPAG reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that infection prevention remains science-driven, practical, and grounded in real-world expertise. This collaboration is not only critical to the safety of healthcare delivery—it is key to restoring trust and confidence among patients, families, and the professionals who care for them.”

HIPAG’s structure and membership will be finalized in the coming weeks, along with a coordinated communication and engagement plan.

Organizations interested in participating in or contributing to expert representatives are encouraged to contact APIC or SHEA for more information.

Source: SHEA