Dealing with Cleaning-Related Infection Control Issues Head-On

The answer to these questions is yes, we should still be concerned and no, many medical facilities still have not taken enough steps to stop the spread of infection.

The Infection Control Situation Today

The transmission of microorganisms, which reside on various surfaces in the medical setting, can cause a variety of health-related problems. According to a June 28, 2007 report on New Hampshire National Public Radio, HAIs affect approximately 2 million people each year, resulting in the deaths of nearly 100,000 people annually, making this the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.

What’s more, the costs can be staggering. The same report estimates the costs to treat these diseases ranges from $7 billion to as much as $27 billion annually.¹ The cost implications are becoming such a concern that the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid is now taking action. The organization will begin collecting data on illnesses patients pick up at hospitals while under treatment for other conditions. For Medicare and Medicaid patients, this may mean that the government will stop paying hospitals for treating hospital-acquired illnesses, which puts more of the financial burden on the medical facilities.

Many infection control practitioners are well aware of this problem. One survey of infection control practitioners found that nearly one-third of those surveyed believe infection control “remains a top priority” in U.S. hospitals and almost as many believe current technologies and techniques used to combat the spread of hospital infections are in serious need of updating.²