What do increased morbidity and mortality rates indicate in the context of infection control?

Increased morbidity and mortality rates in the context of infection control indicate a higher incidence of complications related to infections. When these rates rise, it suggests that more individuals are experiencing serious health consequences from infections, which can lead to prolonged illness, disability, or even death. This scenario highlights a failure in the infection control measures that should ideally prevent the spread of infectious diseases and manage existing infections effectively.

Effective infection control practices are designed to reduce the occurrence and severity of infections, leading to improved health outcomes. Therefore, higher morbidity and mortality rates serve as critical indicators that the current strategies may not be functioning as intended, necessitating a thorough review and enhancement of infection prevention efforts. In contrast, other outcomes such as better patient health, effective prevention strategies, or lower healthcare costs would typically correlate with improved infection control, not increased rates of complications or death.