Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant threat to health institutions and patients throughout the United States. These infections take a heavy toll both in human life and economic terms. Annually, over 72,000 patients in hospital environments succumb to HAI’s. Astonishingly, around 70% of these infections are deemed preventable given the right adherence to best practices like routine hand hygiene, proper sterilization methods, and antimicrobial stewardship programs. Imposing a sizable financial burden, hospitals face $28.4 billion to $45 billion in direct medical costs each year due to HAIs.
For several decades, ECRI has been vocal about the pressing issue of HAIs. Particularly, ECRI has spotlighted the continuing problem of hospital-acquired infections within long-term care facilities as one of top ten patient safety concerns for the year 2025. In the face of this immense pressure on health systems and patients alike, it is pivotal that health care providers across the country have consistent access to reliable, science-driven guidance to mitigate the spread of infections.
The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) of the CDC has been instrumental in influencing the national standards for infection prevention within healthcare settings for over three decades. However, the recent decision by the HHS to dissolve HICPAC raises grave concerns. In the aftermath of a global pandemic that has claimed millions of lives, the dissolution of such a critical committee seems premature and risks sidelining key lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is crucial that HHS outlines clear strategies of what and who will replace this advisory committee to ensure updated, evidence-based practices continue to guide the efforts to curb HAIs.
The message that seems to be echoed in the wake of dissolution raises eyebrows among healthcare leaders: it suggests operating with fewer resources while maintaining the significance of lives at risk. ECRI commits to acting as a trusted, independent ally offering essential expertise to health systems, government bodies, manufacturers, and payers globally. Drawing from six decades worth of rich experience, ECRI continues to provide transformative insights into patient safety, subsequently driving superior patient care.
In 2024, ECRI was recognized as a liaison representative for HICPAC and was set to begin fulfilling this role in 2025 until the committee was dissolved. HICPAC liaisons offer representation to a diverse range of health-related associations, consumer groups, public organizations, and government partners.
Source: https://home.ecri.org/pages/strengthen-infection-control-to-protect-patients-and-save-lives