The Center for Disease Control's report on "Winnable Battles" shows the number of hospital-acquired infections has steadily declined since 2006, but there is still more work to be done to reach the CDC's target rates of infection.
The CDC is specifically tracking central line-associated blood infections, methilicillian-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, surgical site infections and catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
The target rates call for a 60 percent decrease in CLABSIs and MRSA, and a 30 percent decrease in SSIs and CAUTIs by 2015.
"Winnable Battles" refers to widespread health challenges that persist despite evidence-based protocols to reduce their incidence. For these challenges, the CDC develops a cost-effective program of strategies that can be implemented to combat these public health issues. In addition to HAIs, the CDC identifies tobacco use, nutrition and obesity, motor vehicle safety, teenage pregnancy, HIV infections and food safety as "Winnable Battles."
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