The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) has issued the following statement:
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America is pleased to be actively involved with the Department of Health and Human Services’ efforts to develop an action plan for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). This effort will result in actions at the bedside that can achieve meaningful reductions in preventable HAIs.
We commend HHS for their efforts to improve coordination among agencies regarding HAIs including the development of standard terms and measures to ensure quality data, sharing best practices, engaging partners, coordinating research activities and disseminating information. We urge HHS to provide the agencies involved in this effort with a roadmap as to how goals and targets are to be met. This will require including well-defined action items with deliverables that are designed to achieve objectives and goals within a specific time frame, and we stand ready to assist in the translation of HHS goals and objectives into such actionable items and deliverables.
We support the identification of metrics that monitor interventions; yet metrics are by no means sufficient in isolation. Measuring the problem is not enough; instead, we must ensure that evidence-based interventions are rapidly translated and implemented in practice.
The focus of any effort related to HAIs should be on preventability. Substantial investment toward translational research projects that can allow more rapid integration of science into practice is critically important to address the gaps in the existing healthcare epidemiology knowledge base. Effective, precise interventions aimed at preventing HAIs are impossible without ample, committed funding. Experts in the field including epidemiologists and infection preventionists in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality should be engaged in order to further define and prioritize the research agenda and they should remain involved throughout the process to offer their expertise and insight.
It is essential that states and healthcare institutions have adequate resources to ensure that public reporting efforts can be appropriately executed in a timely fashion. Funds should be used in part to create jobs around NHSN education and training programs, and to support implementation of NHSN within states to ensure that they can take necessary steps according to what monitoring efforts reveal. SHEA strongly supports investment in infrastructure and qualified personnel in healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention and control as determined by local needs assessment, along with investment in training and education programs for hospital personnel, patients and their families.
As HHS begins to expand its view and examines the scope and impact of HAIs in other healthcare settings, SHEA urges a continued focus on the scientific basis for prevention. We remain committed to reducing preventable infections in healthcare to improve patient quality of care and ensure better stewardship of our precious healthcare resources.
To read a statement fromt he IDSA, CLICK HERE.
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.
New Study Explores Oral Vancomycin to Prevent C difficile Recurrence, But Questions Remain
July 17th 2025A new clinical trial explores the use of low-dose oral vancomycin to prevent Clostridioides difficile recurrence in high-risk patients taking antibiotics. While the data suggest a possible benefit, the findings stop short of statistical significance and raise red flags about vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), underscoring the delicate balance between prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness
July 16th 2025Despite their smooth, polished exteriors, surgical instruments often harbor dangerous contaminants deep inside their lumens. At the HSPA25 and APIC25 conferences, Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and her colleagues revealed why borescopes are an indispensable tool for sterile processing teams, offering the only reliable way to verify internal cleanliness and improve sterile processing effectiveness to prevent patient harm.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.