Hospitals face significant financial challenges, with nearly 80 Chapter 11 bankruptcies in 2023 alone. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), such as CLABSI, CAUTI, MRSA, and Clostridioides difficile infection (C. diff), exacerbate these issues by driving up costs and reducing revenue due to longer patient stays and non-reimbursed treatments. In 2022, the median operating margin for US hospitals was negative, highlighting the financial strain. HAIs cost the healthcare system an estimated $28.4 to $45 billion annually, emphasizing the need for effective prevention strategies like hygiene protocols, aseptic techniques, and antimicrobial stewardship to improve outcomes and reduce costs.
Reducing HAIs is essential for both financial sustainability and patient care. This study found that increases in C. diff and CAUTI rates significantly raised hospital operating expenses, with a 1% rise in C. diff infections adding $686 per staffed bed annually. Preventing HAIs not only lowers costs but also improves patient outcomes, resource allocation, and public perception. Hospitals can prioritize infection control measures, evidence-based protocols, and collaboration with the CDC to mitigate HAI-related costs and align clinical excellence with financial stability.
Reference: Beauvais B, Dolezel D, Shanmugam R, et al. An Exploratory Analysis of the Association between Healthcare Associated Infections & Hospital Financial Performance. Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Jun 30;12(13):1314. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12131314. PMID: 38998850; PMCID: PMC11240916.
