Weekly Summary: Healthcare Quality and Worker Safety Information – February 5, 2026
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Healthcare Quality ResourcesNow Available! CDC’s 2024 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Progress Report — This report shows progress in preventing several important HAIs in acute care hospitals compared to 2023 and continues to show decreases in HAIs that align more closely with progress made prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The report also highlights the need for healthcare providers to continue to:
New Sepsis Prevention Assessment Tool (SPAT) for Nursing Homes — Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency; it is the body’s extreme response to infection and can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Nursing home residents are at increased risk for infections that can lead to sepsis due to more common medical conditions and frequent interactions in healthcare settings where infections can spread. The SPAT for Nursing Homes identifies gaps in sepsis policies, training, and practices that can be targeted to improve infection prevention, recognition, and health outcomes. This resource includes instructions to assist with preparing for and using the SPAT for Nursing Homes, to analyze and share assessment data, and determining next steps. New Targeted Assessment for Burnout (TAB) Facility Assessment Tool — This CDC resource is designed to help healthcare facilities and public health partners better understand and address burnout among healthcare personnel. TAB is an anonymous, facility-level assessment that captures insights from a range of healthcare staff to identify organizational and workplace factors that contribute to burnout. The tool draws on published research, established burnout assessment instruments, and direct input from healthcare personnel who shared their experiences with burnout, staff turnover, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from the assessment can help facilities prioritize actionable strategies to support staff well-being, strengthen organizational culture, and prevent burnout from recurring. A companion implementation guide connects users to practical, existing resources to address the factors identified through the assessment. Webinar Recording Now Available! Preventing and Responding to Respiratory Infections and Outbreaks in Long-Term Care — Long-term care residents are at high risk for respiratory infections and severe illness. On January 27, Project Firstline hosted a webinar featuring CDC experts and the American Medication Association (AMA) to discuss the latest information about illness recognition, testing, treatment, vaccination, infection control, and resources for healthcare professional, residents, and their families. JAMA Network Open: Extraintestinal Invasive Escherichia coli Infections in the United States — Extraintestinal invasive E. coli (iEC), strains of E. coli (germs) that can cause infections outside of the intestines, such as urinary tract infections or bloodstream infections, are a leading cause of sepsis and hospitalization. New research from CDC’s Emerging Infections Program identified a higher estimated occurrence of iEC infections in U.S. communities than previously recognized, especially among older adults. The antimicrobial resistance profiles of isolates from iEC cases reported from local clinical laboratories found substantial resistance and warrant continued surveillance and prevention efforts. Understanding the burden of iEC can help inform strategies to improve sepsis prevention and management, leading to earlier detection to protect the health of Americans. Evolving Risks and Prevention of Invasive Fungal Diseases in Transplant Recipients — A recent article in Contagion reviews the shifting epidemiology of invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) among solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, highlighting persistent high mortality, increasing antimicrobial resistance, and notable geographic variation in fungal pathogens. Drawing on recent analyses and prior surveillance data, the authors describe later onset of IFDs after transplantation, a higher-than-anticipated burden of invasive mold infections, and a growing role of endemic fungi as their geographic ranges expand. The article underscores the importance of strengthened surveillance, infection prevention and control measures (including environmental controls), antifungal stewardship, and improved diagnostics to better protect transplant recipients and guide prevention strategies in healthcare settings.
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