Healthcare-Associated Infections

SD Project Firstline - CDC's National Training Collaborative for Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Link to websiteProject Firstline is the CDC’s national training collaborative designed to equip all healthcare workers with essential infection control knowledge. This program provides a variety of educational resources tailored to meet the diverse needs and learning preferences of the healthcare and public health workforce. Through accessible training and practical guidance, Project Firstline empowers healthcare professionals in South Dakota to prevent the spread of infections and protect the health of their communities.

The national goal is to prevent, reduce, and ultimately eliminate healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). South Dakota is actively engaged, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in working to address the issue of HAI prevention.

Subscribe to SD’s HAI ListServ

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HAIs are infections that patients get while receiving treatment for medical or surgical conditions. They are among the leading causes of preventable deaths in the U.S. and are associated with a substantial increase in healthcare costs each year. HAIs occur in all types of care settings, including:

  • Acute care within hospitals
  • Same-day surgical centers
  • Ambulatory outpatient care in healthcare clinics
  • Long-term care facilities (e.g., nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities)

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are some of the most common HAIs.

In hospitals, HAIs lead to extended hospital stays, contribute to increased medical costs, and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Common HAIs patients get in hospitals include:

  • Central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)
  • Clostridium difficile infections
  • Pneumonia
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections
  • Surgical site infections
  • Urinary tract infections

Infection Prevention Networking Opportunity

Association for Professionals in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology (APIC)

APIC South Dakota #136 serves infection prevention needs throughout South Dakota and the bordering areas of neighboring states.  Members are dedicated to improving health by serving the needs and aims common to all disciplines united by infection prevention and epidemiology activities. This chapter represents members from diverse healthcare settings.

The APIC SD chapter was formed in 2023 and is committed to providing networking and educational opportunities to members.

APIC SD Chapter Website: https://community.apic.org/southdakota/home 
Contact us: apicsouthdakota@gmail.com

APIC SD Conference

APIC SD hosts an annual conference the first week of October in Sioux Falls. Continuing education credits are available, along with great networking opportunities with infection preventionists and clinicians in the state. Anyone with a role or interest in infection prevention is invited to attend.