Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world.  An estimated 6 million healthcare-associated infections occur each year across the U.S., Europe and Japan alone.  In the U.S. up to 90,000 patients die as a result of healthcare-associated infections each year, making healthcare-associated infections the fourth leading cause of death.*  Beyond the human toll, there is an enormous financial burden to healthcare systems worldwide.  BD is committed to applying its expertise, resources and technologies toward the prevention of healthcare-associated infections worldwide.