Infection Control

At UNC Health Care we are very proud of the reductions in healthcare-associated infections we have achieved for our patients. Over the last twelve years, we have:

• reduced our catheter-associated bloodstream infections (BSI) by more than 80%,
• and over the last five years, we have reduced our catheter-associated urinary tract infections (UTI) by more than 30%. 

These achievements have placed us well below the national average for healthcare-associated infections reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Unlike the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) that uses charge code data to approximate healthcare-associated infections, we participate in a standardized surveillance program directed by the CDC that evaluates each patient’s hospital stay to determine if they acquired a healthcare-associated infection. Using the CDC surveillance methods provides a more precise and accurate measure of healthcare-associated infections. 

Like other hospitals that participate in the CDC surveillance program, the information we collect on these healthcare-associated infections is used to identify and evaluate opportunities for prevention of healthcare-associated infections. UNC Health Care has a world-class infection control program where all clinicians are actively engaged in preventing infections among their patients.  

Infection Rates

Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection rate hospital wide (per 1000 catheter days)
Catheter Associated Bloodstream Infection rate in ICUs (per 1000 central line days)