Hospital-acquired infections fall, report finds

Hospital-acquired infections fell for the first time post-pandemic, according to the Leapfrog Group’s fall 2023 Hospital Safety Grades. More than 85% of hospitals improved performance on at least one of three infection measures: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, central-line associated blood stream infections and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. The three HIAs reached a five-year high during the pandemic. However, patient experience scores worsened for the second consecutive year, and all states experienced a significant decline in reported patient experience from fall 2021 to fall 2023. The greatest declines occurred in the areas of “communication about medicines” and “responsiveness of hospital staff”, likely due to staffing shortages. The Leapfrog Group President and CEO Leah Binder noted many hospitals are innovating to improve the patient experience. (Leapfrog Group news release, 11/6/23)