Healthcare-Associated Infections

• In Canada, 250,000 people admitted to hospital pick up infections in the hospital while being treated for something else.
• In Canada, healthcare-associated infections kill 8,000-12,000 Canadians each year.
• One in nine Canadians admitted to a hospital will acquire an infection thereby eroding public trust.
• In Canada it is estimated that a severe HAI costs and additional $12,000 to 35,000 per patient.
• Infection prevention and control strategies do prevent HAI’s thereby offering a significant cost reduction.
• Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Canada is estimated to cost $41.7 to 58.7 million (1998 dollars).
• Healthcare-associated infections can lead to long-term disability, excess deaths, massive financial burden and high costs on patients and their families.