ObjectiveTo explore the direct economic loss caused by healthcareassociated infection(HAI) in general hospitals in China. Methods68 hospitals were selected, a retrospective 1:1 matched survey was conducted to compare the direct medical cost in patients with and without HAI between January 1, 2015 and  December 31, 2015. ResultsA total of 2 123 pairs of patients with and without HAI were included in the survey. The average cost of hospitalization in HAI  and nonHAI groups were  ￥25 845.30 and ￥12 006.14 respectively, ￥13 839.16 on average was increased due to HAI. The average economic loss in provincial and ministerial levels of hospitals were ￥21 409.83. The average economic loss in different regional hospitals were ￥9 725.42-￥18 909.59, and north China ranked the first. Economic loss caused by bloodstream infection and lower respiratory tract infection were more than other sites, which were ￥23 190.09 and ￥18 194.50 respectively. ConclusionHAI resulted in considerable direct economic loss. Prevention and control of HAI, especially bloodstream infection and lower respiratory tract infection should be paid more attention.