The Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Subcommittee brings together HAI/AR Program Managers and others interested in the surveillance, reporting, and prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AR). CSTE works closely with federal agencies, including CDC, CMS, and HHS, and other partner organizations, such as APIC and SHEA, on this important program area. CSTE continues to create opportunities to increase the capacity of public health agencies and competency of the public health workforce in the area of HAI/AR. CSTE also convenes subject matter experts at the state, territorial, local, and tribal (STLT) levels and leaders from other organizations to address HAI/AR-related issues, such as infection prevention, data analysis and validation, and utilization of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

The HAI/AR Subcommittee hosts monthly conference calls and webinars as a forum for members to discuss current HAI/AR outbreaks, share best practices on surveillance and capacity building, and hear updates on CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality and Promotion priorities. CSTE also offers peer-to-peer technical assistance opportunities to STLT HAI/AR Program Managers and epidemiologists.

For more information about the HAI/AR Subcommittee and their activities, please contact Will Fritch. Click here to view other Infectious Disease Steering Committee activities.

CSTE supports these additional HAI/AR and antimicrobial resistance-related activities:

• Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Taskforce (ARSTF), led by CDC, CSTE, and the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL).

• Council for Outbreak Response: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens (AR) (CORHA), led by a Governance Committee with members from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), CSTE, CDC, and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).

Resources: 

• Effective Collaboration between HAIAR and Preparedness Programs
• Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Data Analysis and Presentation Standardization (DAPS) Toolkit
• The Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Drug Diversion Planning and Response Toolkit for State and Local Health Departments
• Recommendations for Public Health and Informatics Partners to Support Uptake of the National Healthcare Safety Network’s Antimicrobial Use and Resistance Modules
• ARSTF Year 4 Progress Report
• CORHA Principles and Practices for Outbreak Response
• CORHA Resources and Products
• ARSTF Resources