The Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI & AR) Program monitors and validates data on reportable HAIs from Washington hospitals. Washington State Updated WAC 246-440-100 Hospital reporting requirements for health care associated infections effective January 2020 to include:
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood-stream infections
- Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination
- Central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)
- Surgical site infections (SSI) for certain procedure types
- Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) positive laboratory identification.
Reporting requirements for Washington State
For detailed information regarding Washington State reporting requirements:
- Overview - Healthcare-Associated Infection Reporting under 246-440-100 WAC (DOH 420-273)(PDF)
- FAQ - Healthcare-Associated Infection Reporting under 246-440-100 WAC (DOH 420-274)(PDF)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections Reporting Requirements (DOH 420-276)(PDF)
- NHSN Data Use Agreement for Healthcare Facilities (DOH 420-275)(PDF)
Annual Healthcare-Associated Infection Report
Under RCW 43.70.056, WA DOH is charged with using data submitted to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) to compile and publish reports. The Annual Healthcare-Associated Infections Report provides comprehensive and detailed information on Washington hospital performance.
- 2018 HAI Annual Report (DOH 420-423)(PDF)
- 2019 HAI Annual Report (DOH 420-459)(PDF)
- 2020 HAI Annual Report (DOH 420-458)(PDF)
Historical Reports
The information in the HAI reports below show infection rates in the different hospital units (e.g. intensive care unit, oncology, pediatrics). By doing so, it is easier to compare infection rates, since some units may be more likely to have higher infection rates because patients are at higher risk for infection.
Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI)
ICU 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Non-ICU 2017 2016 2015 2014
- Hospitals CLABSI rates are compared by the type of hospital unit where patients reside.
- CLABSI from non-ICU inpatient hospital units are compared using these categories.
- More information on CLABSI.
- Hospitals CLABSI rates are compared by the type of hospital unit where patients reside.
- CLABSI from non-ICU inpatient hospital units are compared using these categories.
- More information on CLABSI.
Surgical Site Infections (SSI)
2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
- Hospital SSI rates are compared by the type of surgical procedure.
- All rates are expressed as a percent (infections per 100 procedures).
- More information on SSI.
Clostridioides difficile infection Laboratory Identification (CDI LabID)

- Interact with charts, maps, and graphs
- Export the data as a spreadsheet.
Access the new Clostridioides difficile infection dashboards
- More information on Clostridioides difficile.
Clostridioides Difficile Testing Guidance
Clostridioides Difficile Testing Guidance (PDF)
Testing criteria, risk factors, and algorithm for CDI testing.
Reporting Accuracy
Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) reporting doesn't have to be perfect to be useful, but it has to be accurate enough to be meaningful. The Department of Health provides instructions and resources to Washington's hospitals so that they all have a uniform way of conducting their monitoring and reporting.
Hospitals rely on their own infection surveillance program findings to support decisions about policies, practices and special studies. Therefore, it is the responsibility of hospital management to monitor and maintain sufficient accuracy in their surveillance program.
Hospitals licensed by the Washington State Department of Health are required to report information about certain HAIs using the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) system. Washington State law (RCW 43.70.056) requires that the department regularly evaluate the quality and accuracy of required HAI reporting. To do so, the HAI & AR Program follows validation guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For more details on our HAI reporting accuracy processes, please email the Department's HAI and AR Program staff.
Annual HAI Validation Report (PDF)
Contact Us
For more information, please email us.