A recent study from the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy at Resources for the Future revealed that almost 50,000 people die each year in hospitals from infections picked up during their stay. Experts say that many of the deaths could be avoided with better infection control, including handwashing, improved hygiene and better screening of patients when they arrive. The report also found that the infections translated into 2.3 million extra patient days in 2006 at a cost of more than $8 billion.