NEW YORK (AP)  -- New York City Health and Hospital Corporation officials say the number of infections acquired at the city's 11 public hospitals has dropped dramatically.

Since 2005, central line bloodstream infections have dropped 55 percent, and there was a 78 percent reduction in the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia among adult patients in intensive care units.

Hospital-acquired infections are a costly nationwide problem. About two million patients get an infection while being treated at hospitals, and nearly 100,000 die.

To reduce the infections, the HHC started following new practices that included simple measures like ensuring proper hand hygiene.

HHC is a $5.4 billion public benefit corporation that serves 1.3 million New Yorkers and nearly 400,000 who are uninsured.