Trends in Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial-Resistant Organisms in Canadian Hospitals

Strategic Insights -

Canadian researchers reported a concerning trend of increased healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial-resistant organisms (AROs) in acute-care hospitals, despite a decline in HAIs during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, conducted by the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP), found that the prevalence of adult patients with at least one HAI increased from 10.4% in 2002 to 12.4% in 2009, declined to 8.4% in 2017, and stabilized in 2024 at 8.1%. Notably, 3.1% of HAIs in 2024 were caused by SARS-CoV-2. The researchers highlighted the need for ongoing efforts in hospital infection prevention, citing concerning trends in certain HAIs, such as central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and viral respiratory infections (VRIs).

Key Takeaways:

  • The prevalence of adult patients with at least one HAI increased from 10.4% in 2002 to 12.4% in 2009, declined to 8.4% in 2017, and stabilized in 2024 at 8.1%.
  • 3.1% of HAIs in 2024 were caused by SARS-CoV-2.
  • The study identified concerning trends in certain HAIs, such as CLABSIs and VRIs.
  • The research highlighted the need for ongoing efforts in hospital infection prevention.
  • The study was conducted by the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP) and involved 39-62 hospitals across Canada.
  • The study's findings were published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology in 2025.

Statistics:

  • Prevalence of adult patients with at least one HAI:

+ 2002: 10.4% (95% CI: 9.6%-11.2%)

+ 2009: 12.4% (95% CI: 11.7%-13.2%)

+ 2017: 8.4% (95% CI: 7.8%-9.0%)

+ 2024: 8.1% (95% CI: 7.6%-8.6%)

  • Prevalence of HAIs caused by SARS-CoV-2 in 2024: 3.1%
  • Increase in CLABSIs from 2017 to 2024: 0.5% (1.0% to 1.5%, p = 0.002)
  • Increase in VRIs from 2017 to 2024: 0.3% (0.3% to 0.6%, p < 0.05)

Sources:

  • Trends in healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial-resistant organisms among adults in Canadian acute care hospitals: findings from four point prevalence surveys, 2002 to 2024. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 2025:1-8.
  • NewsRx. New COVID-19 Findings from Public Health Agency of Canada Reported (Trends in healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial-resistant organisms among adults in Canadian acute care hospitals: findings from four point prevalence surveys, ...). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. September 28, 2025; p 81.