The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention wants nursing homes to volunteer for three years of surveys as part of a campaign to tackle healthcare-associated infections.

The CDC submitted a proposal to the White House Office of Management and Budget, which was reviewing the measure at press time. It was published May 31 in the Federal Register.

The initiative would help health officials and policymakers better understand the burden and epidemiology of HAIs, along with the use of antimicrobials in nursing homes. Better procedures for efficiently controlling and preventing HAIs could ensue.

Surveys would be in states and facilities in the CDC Emerging Infections Program. Twenty CMS-certified facilities in each of the 10 EIP states would be selected at random. Participation would be voluntary.