Healthcare-Associated Infections Decline Dramatically This Year

The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit focused on patient safety, released its fall 2024 Hospital Safety Grade, evaluating nearly 3,000 hospitals on their ability to prevent medical errors, accidents, and infections.

Since Leapfrog reported Hospital Safety Grades in fall 2022, when healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) rates were at their highest peak since 2016, average HAI scores have declined dramatically. The report found:  

• Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) decreased by 38%.
• Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) decreased by 36%.  
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) decreased by 34%.

As Leapfrog detailed in its 2024 Hand Hygiene Report, since Leapfrog began public reporting of a tough new standard for hand hygiene in 2020, the percentage of hospitals achieving the standard has soared from 11% to 78%.

Regarding national performance trends, for fall 2024, Utah ranks No. 1 with the highest percentage of “A” hospitals for the third cycle in a row, followed by Virginia and Connecticut. The latest grades also show hospitals are making progress in patient safety across several performance measures including notable improvements in healthcare-associated infections, hand hygiene, and medication safety.