Health care-associated infections (HAIs) constitute a risk to patients and health care facilities. Estimates indicate that 240,000 patients admitted to California hospitals annually develop HAIs, contributing to the suffering associated with illness and increasing costs to the health care system by approximately $3.1 billion. Literature suggests that a significant proportion of HAIs can be eliminated with intensive surveillance and prevention programs. CHA supports decreasing the number of HAIs through a deliberate and systematic approach that addresses infection-control program infrastructure and oversight. CHA also supports the public reporting of meaningful, scientifically valid information related to HAIs. The most prevalent HAIs (approximately 80 percent) are urinary tract infections, surgical-site infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia and central-line blood stream infections.

The HAI Advisory Committee — created by SB 739 (Chapter 526, Statutes of 2006) — recommends methods for preventing and reporting HAIs to the California Department of Public Health.