The checklist made central line infections almost nonexistent at the 108 intensive care units in Michigan that adopted it . Every year , hospital - acquired infections sicken 1.7 million , including 99,000 in U.S . They add more than $ 1 billion to health care costs annually . Small changes -- using a checklist and brushing patients ' teeth -- can lower rates . Expert : Attitude is slowly shifting away from accepting infections as inevitable .
Every year , hospital - acquired infections sicken 1.7 million , including 99,000 in U.S . They add more than $ 1 billion to health care costs annually . Small changes -- using a checklist and brushing patients ' teeth -- can lower rates . Expert : Attitude is slowly shifting away from accepting infections as inevitable .