The agency has found marked progress over a decade in eliminating five health care–associated infections (HAIs), and offers an update on the Department of Health and Human Services' five-year goals to reduce HAIs.

The new guidance updates recommendations issued in 1999; recommendations are categorized based on the quality of available supporting evidence.

CMS has awarded $347 million to the 16 organizations — including Premier Inc. — to support the next phase of a patient safety initiative.

The targets aim to significantly reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections, MRSA, Clostridium difficile cases, and other infections by 2020.

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities program aims to improve disparities in surgical care and outcomes among disadvantaged populations.

Like earlier report, new AHRQ data show that hospitals continued to reduce HAC rates by 17 percent in 2014.

Reports previously excluded the first six months of 2014 data on SSIs, which may have impacted payment adjustment and quality measure results. CMS has opened a second review and correction period.

CDC lists the Partnership for Patients, which includes the association's Essential Hospitals Engagement Network, among initiatives that have lowered the rate of health care-associated infections.