Infection Control: Staffing Boost Cuts Infections
- Increasing the number of infection preventionists can significantly reduce hospital-associated infections, according to data from Carilion Clinic.
- Maimuna Jatta, RN, MSN, CIC, presented the findings at the annual conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. The increased staffing led to significant...
- Specifically, catheter-associated UTIs decreased by 57%, Clostridioides difficile infections fell 52%, colon surgical site infections dropped 26%, and central line-associated bloodstream infections declined by 16%.
Carilion Clinic’s proactive move to boost its infection prevention staffing—increasing from 11 to 24 full-time employees—resulted in a important decrease in hospital-associated infections, proving the vital role of prevention. This led to a 57% drop in catheter-associated UTIs, a 52% decrease in Clostridioides difficile infections, and notable declines across the board, as detailed in the study presented at the annual APIC conference. Strong infection prevention directly correlates to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs, emphasizing the importance of strategic staffing. news Directory 3 presents this compelling shift in healthcare strategies. Discover what’s next in infection control innovations.
Virginia Hospital Cuts Infection Rates With More staff
Updated June 18, 2025
Increasing the number of infection preventionists can significantly reduce hospital-associated infections, according to data from Carilion Clinic. The health system, which includes eight hospitals and more than 1,000 beds, boosted its infection prevention staff from 11 to 24 full-time employees by 2023.
Maimuna Jatta, RN, MSN, CIC, presented the findings at the annual conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. The increased staffing led to significant declines in total hospital-associated infections and standardized infection ratios, Jatta noted.
Data derived from Jatta M, et al. LDPM 14. Presented at: Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology; June 16-18, 2025; Phoenix.
Specifically, catheter-associated UTIs decreased by 57%, Clostridioides difficile infections fell 52%, colon surgical site infections dropped 26%, and central line-associated bloodstream infections declined by 16%.
Jatta concluded that strong infection prevention is predictive of lower infection rates, proving infection prevention is a clinical outcome driver.
Bolstering infection prevention staff is feasible at other facilities if the role of infection preventionists across all aspects of health care delivery systems is considered,she added.
“it’s not just about more staff,it’s about [the] right support,data systems and alignment across departments that builds a culture of prevention that is proactive and not reactive,” Jatta said.
The study was presented a little over a month after the CDC terminated an advisory committee that provided federal guidance on the prevention and control of health care-associated infections and the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Experts urged HHS to reinstate the committee, calling it essential to public health.
APIC President Carol mclay said Carilion is “a strong example of what many forward-thinking health care systems are discovering” — that increasing the number of infection preventionists on staff improves patient outcomes.
“When infection rates go down, we also see shorter hospital stays, fewer readmissions and meaningful cost savings, benefits that ripple across the entire health care system,” she said.
What’s next
Maimuna Jatta suggests that other facilities consider bolstering their infection prevention staff, emphasizing the importance of support systems and data alignment to foster a proactive culture of prevention.