Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect approximately 1 in 31 hospital patients on any given day in the United States, contributing to 99,000 deaths and over $28 billion in excess healthcare costs annually. An evidence-based infection prevention program — backed by the right supplies, protocols, and training — is the most impactful intervention available to reduce this burden.
The CDC's Core Infection Prevention Recommendations
The CDC's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) publishes guidelines that form the basis of every accredited facility's infection control program. The core pillars are:
- Hand hygiene — The single most effective HAI prevention intervention
- Standard precautions — Applied to all patients regardless of suspected diagnosis
- Transmission-based precautions — Contact, droplet, and airborne precautions for specific pathogens
- Environmental cleaning and disinfection
- Sterilization of reusable medical equipment
Hand Hygiene Products: The Foundation
The WHO's "Five Moments for Hand Hygiene" framework requires appropriate hand hygiene products at every point of care. Key hand hygiene supplies include:
- Alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHR): ≥60% ethanol or isopropanol formulations. CDC recommends ABHR for most clinical hand hygiene moments except when hands are visibly soiled or after contact with C. difficile (which requires soap and water).
- Antimicrobial soap: Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) or triclosan-containing formulations for surgical scrubs and high-risk settings.
- Hand lotion: Compatible lotions reduce dermatitis and improve hand hygiene compliance.
- Dispensers: Wall-mounted, point-of-care, and bedside dispensers improve accessibility and compliance rates.
Surface Disinfection: EPA-Registered Hospital Disinfectants
Environmental contamination plays a significant role in the transmission of C. difficile, MRSA, VRE, norovirus, and CRE. All surface disinfectants used in healthcare settings must be EPA-registered with kill claims for the target pathogens. Categories include:
- Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats): Broad-spectrum, low toxicity, long shelf life. Effective against most healthcare pathogens but not C. difficile spores.
- Bleach/sodium hypochlorite solutions: Required for C. difficile, norovirus, and other non-enveloped viruses. 1:10 dilution (5,000 ppm) for terminal cleaning.
- Hydrogen peroxide-based products: Accelerated hydrogen peroxide (AHP) provides rapid efficacy with lower toxicity than bleach.
- UV-C decontamination systems: Supplemental no-touch disinfection. Not a substitute for manual cleaning.
Sterile Drapes and Surgical Barriers
Surgical site infections (SSIs) account for 31% of all HAIs in hospitalized patients. Proper sterile surgical supplies — including fenestrated drapes, impervious gowns, sterile gloves, and sterile instrument wraps — are critical SSI prevention tools. AAMI standards govern fluid barrier performance for surgical drapes and gowns (see ANSI/AAMI PB70).
Urinary Catheter Care Supplies
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the most common HAI type. Beyond the catheter insertion bundle (maximal sterile barrier precautions at insertion), ongoing catheter care requires:
- Closed urinary drainage systems with anti-reflux valves
- Meatal antiseptic cleansing supplies
- Securement devices to prevent urethral trauma and catheter migration
- Clearly labeled drainage bags to facilitate accurate output documentation
Healix Infection Prevention Product Portfolio
Healix stocks infection prevention supplies across all categories: hand hygiene products (GOJO, Medline), EPA-registered surface disinfectants, sterile drapes and gowns (Halyard, Kimberly-Clark, Medline), urinary catheters and drainage systems, and more. Browse our OR & Surgery and PPE catalogs or request a bulk quote for your facility.