HHS infection targets for 2020 include the continuing challenge of C. diff reduction

January 12th, 2015

Infection preventionists and other stakeholders in the battle against health care associated infections have until March 27, 2014 to comment on the Department of Health and Human Services HAI reduction targets for 2020.

With 2015 set as a baseline year, the new targets are part of the HHS action plan to prevent HAIs. The proposed 2020 targets include a goal of reducing Clostridium difficile infections by 30% from the 2015 baseline rate. C. diff has been a particularly difficult infection to reduce in hospitals and now is arising in the community.

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology has created a nice summary chart that includes the 2020 targets and progress toward meeting current targets.

An HHS Federal Register Notice outlines several ways to submit comments.

The national HAI targets for acute care hospitals were established in 2008 and expired December 31, 2013. The 2020 targets were recommended by the HHS Steering Committee for the Prevention of HAIs after national stakeholders discussed potential progress moving forward. The HAI stakeholders were convened at a public meeting in Washington DC hosted by HHS on September 25, 2013.