HAI stands for Healthcare Acquired Infections. This means that a patient enters a hospital for treatment and contracts an unrelated illness. HAI’s are spread through infected patients, infected surfaces, or through the hands of healthcare workers. Healthcare acquired infections are the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. Common HAI’s include MRSA, Hepatitis, Influenza, and C. Diff.

Healthcare acquired infections can be controlled effectively with the right infection control strategy. Facilities should focus on proper hand hygiene, regular cleaning and disinfecting, and focus on high-touch surfaces. High-touch surfaces include any surface in reach of the patient. Most quat-based disinfectants and disinfecting wipes have claims for most of the common HAI’s. When dealing with C. Diff, special infection control procedures may be needed.