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How is the HAI measure calculated?

The HAI measures are calculated differently than the recommended care and PSI measures. The HAIs are not reported as scores or simple percentages; they are reported as Standardized Infection Ratios (SIR). 

Hospitals that performed better than the national experience have lower SIRs. Lower SIRs are better because they suggest fewer infections.  The label “L” in the tables identifies the better performing hospitals.

Learn more about SIRs from the CDC.

Types of HAIs monitored by NJDOH

  • Abdominal Hysterectomy
  • Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs)
  • Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI)
  • Colon Surgical Site Infections
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgical Site Infections
  • Knee Arthroplasty Surgical Site Infections
  • Overall Surgical Site Infections

Healthcare Associated Infections

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are among the top causes of unnecessary illnesses and deaths in the United States. HAIs are infections that patients get while staying in a hospital or other healthcare facility – infections that the patients did not have before being admitted. They account for approximately 1.7 million infections and almost 100,000 deaths annually, costing an estimated $28-33 billion each year.

Reducing preventable HAIs is a priority for the Department of Health and for New Jersey hospitals, which are required to submit their HAI data for public reporting in the Hospital Performance Report.

Supplemental reports on particular types of HAIs in New Jersey Hospitals in 2014 are available at right.

Last Reviewed: 10/21/2016