Abstract: Objective: To reveal the current status of healthcare-associated infection control work in national autonomous areas of western China and provide a basis for formulating appropriate policies to improve its healthcare-associated infection control work. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study design. Multi-stage cluster random sampling was used. According to ethnic characteristics, 22 medical institutions in national autonomous areas and 22 medical institutions in non national autonomous areas in Gansu province were selected for on-site investigation and field inspection. Surveys and field investigations on the general situation of their medical institutions, the demographic information of hospital infection management staff, and the development of hospital infection management work were conducted. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the demographic information of full-time and part-time staff in hospital infection management department between national autonomous areas and non national autonomous areas. However, there were deficiencies in some key infection prevention and control measures in medical institutions in national autonomous areas, including the lack of full-time staff, the lack of professional skills for full-time staff, not participating in the consultation of infectious diseases in the hospital, and no microbiology labs among 45.45% of medical institutions in those regions. Conclusion: Healthcare-associated infection control work in medical institutions in national autonomous areas requires urgent attention. Human resources, basic infection control work, and basic infection control facilities are key areas that could be improved.

Key words: healthcare-associated infection, national autonomous areas, cross-sectional study