New Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show central-line associated infections dropped nationally 18 percent during the first six months of 2009 compared to the previous three years, according to the CDC's first state-specific healthcare-associated infection data report.
Central lines are a common source of serious and potentially lethal hospital-associated infections. In 2009, HHS launched an initiative to cut central-line infections by 50 percent by 2013, and the new data is encouraging, according to HHS officials who spoke at a press conference announcing the data.
Of the states which had its data analyzed, Vermont reported the fewest infections, while Maryland had the most, according to the report. Future reports will have data from all states and will be published every six months.
Read the CDC report on healthcare-associated infections (pdf).