The evolving landscape of healthcare-associated infections: recent advances in prevention and a road map for research

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2014 May;35(5):480-93. doi: 10.1086/675821.

Abstract

This white paper identifies knowledge gaps and new challenges in healthcare epidemiology research, assesses the progress made toward addressing research priorities, provides the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Research Committee's recommendations for high-priority research topics, and proposes a road map for making progress toward these goals. It updates the 2010 SHEA Research Committee document, "Charting the Course for the Future of Science in Healthcare Epidemiology: Results of a Survey of the Membership of SHEA," which called for a national approach to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and a prioritized research agenda. This paper highlights recent studies that have advanced our understanding of HAIs, the establishment of the SHEA Research Network as a collaborative infrastructure to address research questions, prevention initiatives at state and national levels, changes in reporting and payment requirements, and new patterns in antimicrobial resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Research / trends
  • Catheter-Related Infections / prevention & control
  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Forecasting
  • Health Priorities
  • Humans
  • International Cooperation
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / prevention & control
  • Research
  • Surgical Wound Infection / prevention & control
  • Urinary Tract Infections / etiology
  • Urinary Tract Infections / prevention & control