Healthcare-associated Infections (HAI) are infections that patients acquire while receiving treatment for other conditions. Healthcare-associated infections are one of the top 10 causes of death in the U.S. They are the most common complication of hospital care. And, there are evidence-based prevention guidelines that can greatly reduce the numbers of healthcare-associated infections.
New Mexico is working to identify and reduce the prevalence of HAI in the state. On this website you can find reports, information for the media, and resources and tools for healthcare providers and consumers to help reduce and prevent these infections.
Under the authority of House Joint Memorial 67 (2007), the NM HAI Advisory Committee was formed and a pilot was conducted to study the feasibility of conducting surveillance for HAI in New Mexico. The HAI pilot included six hospitals located in Albuquerque, Alamogordo, Farmington and Las Cruces that voluntarily submit data about the number of central line-associated bloodstream infections in their adult intensive care units and influenza vaccination of their healthcare workers. The results of the pilot project were published in 2009.
In 2009 The Hospital-Acquired Infection Act, NMSA ยงยง 24-29-1 to 24-29-6 (2009) was enacted which formalized the NM HAI Advisory Committee and its role while keeping HAI data submission voluntary in New Mexico. The Committee is facilitated by the New Mexico Department of Health and is currently working toward its goals related to public reporting and prevention of HAI.
In January 2010 the NM HAI Advisory Committee submitted the New Mexico HAI Prevention Plan. The Plan provides for standardized data submission and for implementation of best practices to prevent HAI in New Mexico healthcare facilities.
As progress on the Prevention Plan continues, more facilities are submitting HAI data voluntarily and the NM HAI Program will continue to identify and expand prevention efforts in New Mexico. The most recent progress report is the New Mexico Healthcare-associated Infections 2012 Report.