NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - For the first time ever the Department of Health and Human Services is revealing data on what are called healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
These are infections that patients get while receiving treatment for other conditions during a hospital stay like MRSA.
They also happen when infectious agents, such as bacteria, enter the patient's body. The infections are often associated with the use of medical devices such as catheters, according to officials.
It is estimated that 33,000 people get healthcare-associated infections in North Carolina each year. New reports show that only two were contracted at New Hanover Regional Medical Center last year, which is a relatively low number.
Brunswick Community Hospital in Supply didn't have any infections reported.
The full report is available here:
http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/cd/hai/figures/hai_jan2013_providers.pdf
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