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October 14, 2009

Featured Topic: Healthcare-Associated Infections

In American hospitals alone, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths each year, according to a 2009 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Implementing infection control practices can significantly reduce HAIs associated with catheters, central lines, ventilators, MRSA, Clostridium difficile, and surgical sites.   

The featured innovations describe several initiatives to reduce HAIs, including the AHRQ-funded ICU hospital collaborative (Michigan Keystone ICU Project) that saved an estimated 1,800 lives, 140,000 hospital days, and at least $270 million over a 5-year period. 

The featured QualityTools provide practical ways to reduce HAIs, including a central line care team insertion checklist.
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Innovation Profiles:
- updated Reconciliation of Patient and Provider Medication Lists Reduces Discrepancies and Enhances Medication Safety in Physician Clinics
- Comprehensive Hospital Program Significantly Reduces C. Difficile Infections
- Evidence-Based Bundle Increases Adherence to Recommended Practices, Leading to Fewer Central Line Infections and Lower Hospital Costs
- Inpatient Education and Counseling Combined With Postdischarge Home Visits and Phone Calls Lead to Improved Health for Patients Who Are Obese and/or Have Diabetes
- Intensive Care Units Participating in Hospital Collaborative Implement Multiple Improvement Strategies, Leading to Fewer Deaths and Lower Costs
- Interdisciplinary, Comprehensive Skin Care Program Significantly Reduces Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers
- Nurse-Enforced Protocols and Associated Tools Significantly Reduce Catheter-Related Infections in the Intensive Care Unit

QualityTools:
- Assessment and Prevention of Pressure Ulcers
- Central Line Insertion Care Team Checklist
- Central Line Procedural Checklist
- Gestational Diabetes: A Guide for Pregnant Women
- Gestational Diabetes: Caring for Women During and After Pregnancy (Clinician's Guide)
- Guide to the Elimination of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Transmission in Hospital Settings
- Infection Control: Learning Through Action to Reduce Infection

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Last updated: October 14, 2009.
 
 
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