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Summary of CDC consultations related to nontraditional therapies and settings, 2016–2023

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2025

Kevin B. Spicer Open the ORCID record for Kevin B. Spicer [Opens in a new window] ,
Elizabeth M. Beshearse ,
Joseph F. Perz  and
Kiran M. Perkins
Kevin B. Spicer*
Affiliation:
Prevention and Response Branch, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta, GA, USA
Elizabeth M. Beshearse
Affiliation:
Prevention and Response Branch, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta, GA, USA
Joseph F. Perz
Affiliation:
Prevention and Response Branch, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta, GA, USA
Kiran M. Perkins
Affiliation:
Prevention and Response Branch, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta, GA, USA
*
Corresponding author: Kevin B. Spicer; Email: kevin.spicer@ihs.gov
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Abstract

Objective and Design:

Therapies provided in nontraditional settings or by individuals without knowledge of core principles of infection prevention and control (IPC) may place consumers at risk of adverse events. We summarize findings from our recent consultation experiences in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help identify targets for prevention efforts and enhanced consumer protections.

Methods:

We reviewed records of DHQP consultations with state, local, or territorial health officials conducted from 2016 to 2023 to identify investigations involving nontraditional therapies or settings in the United States. Information collected included type of procedure or therapy, type of setting, pathogens involved, number of affected individuals, and types of IPC issues identified.

Results:

Of 1500 consultations, we identified 30 (2%) involving nontraditional therapies or settings. Therapies were performed for esthetic reasons, general wellness, or as treatment for pain. Infectious pathogens were identified in the blood, joint fluid, and skin and soft tissue, and included viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Investigations revealed breaches in injection safety, medical device reprocessing, medication preparation and handling, and environmental disinfection. Over 7000 consumers received notification regarding potential exposure to an infectious pathogen.

Conclusions:

This summary highlights the potential infectious risks to consumers posed by nontraditional therapies, which may have unproven benefits and poorly defined risks. With continued expansion of nontraditional therapies and settings, consumers will benefit from education, training, and oversight of those who provide therapies in these settings.

Information

Type
Original Article
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , First View , pp. 1 - 5
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Creative Commons
This is a work of the US Government and is not subject to copyright protection within the United States. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Copyright
© Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025

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Footnotes

A portion of this work was presented at IDWeek 2022, Abstract 1222 (poster), Washington, DC, USA, October 2022. https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofac492.1054

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