An annual government report this week reaffirmed that hospital-acquired infections continue to be a critical issue facing hospital patients and are responsible for an estimated 100,000 deaths per year, according to a report in the New York Times.

As our New York Medical Malpractice attorneys reported last month on our Injury Lawyer blog, more than 1.7 million patients a year are injured by largely preventable hospital infections.

Despite emphasis on prevention and threats of government sanctions, hospitals continue to see increased rates of post-operative infections (up 8 percent year-over-year), and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (up 4 percent), according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

While the study found a 12 percent decrease in post-operative pneumonia, we reported last month that hospital pneumonia is one of the leading causes of fatal hospital infections, claiming the lives of 10 percent of those inflicted. Sepsis also remains a major concern, killing 1 in 5 patients who are infected.

Patients who contracted either infection spent an average of 10-14 more days in the hospital at a cost of $30,000 to $45,000. The report called for "urgent attention" to address the issue of hospital-acquired infections.

Agency Director Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy said projects nationwide have proved remarkably effective in reducing infection rates simply by adhering to basic standards for hand hygiene, disinfection of patients, sterile handling of equipment and proper use of antibiotics.

The government has instituted new mandates that will penalize hospitals with high rates of infection, although enforcement won't start until 2015.