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Healthcare-associated Infections
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a major public health problem in the United States. According to the 2005 Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) Report, hospitals account for an estimated 2 million infections, 90,000 deaths, and $4.5 billion in excess healthcare costs annually.(1)
Public Reporting – Since 2002, several states have enacted legislation that requires healthcare organizations to publicly disclose HAI rates. Advocates for mandatory reporting of HAIs believe that making more information publicly available will enable consumers to make more informed choices about their healthcare and improve overall quality. However, others have expressed concern that the reliability of public reporting systems may be compromised by institutional variability in the definitions used for HAIs, and/or in the methods and resources used to identify HAIs. In either case, there is insufficient evidence on the merits and limitations of an HAI public reporting system.(2)
Changing measures – Industry measurement of HAIs is undergoing widespread reevaluation. Several factors, including advances in medicine, have rendered previous methods of measurement obsolete. Several national organizations are working to identify new measures, standardize definitions, and focus improvement efforts where they will be most effective. The 2005 HICPAC Report recommended tracking and reporting the following rates:
- Influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel;
- Central line-associated bloodstream infections, and,
- Surgical site infections following selected operations.(2)
IHC Efforts – Following HICPAC recommendations, the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative (IHC) has developed a strategy to reduce HAIs in Iowa. IHC will develop and deploy a set of consistent, evidence-based measures across the state. Implementation of these uniform metrics will decrease institutional variability in interpretation and use. IHC also hopes the formation of these metrics will improve public access to HAI information. We believe that a provider-led exercise in self-reporting will accelerate clinical improvement and the spread of best practice in HAI.
IHC has produced this toolkit for healthcare providers in the state. It provides detailed information about IHC’s 2007 HAI reporting initiative and practical applications to improve performance.
References:
(1) Guidance on Public Reporting of Healthcare-Associated Infections, Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (Feb. 28, 2005)
(2) Am J Infection Control 2005; 33:217-26.
View the IHC toolkits and their contents.
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Information on how to deploy the NQF 30 Safe Practices.
Information that discusses how to better communicate medical information to patients.
Information on the monitoring and reporting of HAIs.
This process improvement method can help providers deliver more efficient care that saves resources and improves quality.
Details on the principles and components of a patient centered medical home, including the business case and how to become one.
Resources for providers to avoid adverse drug events.
Resources for the safe administration of narcotics and opioids.
Information and resources for providers in their efforts to assist patients with tobacco cessation.
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