Safe Healthcare

Neil Fishman, M.D.

Guest Author – Neil Fishman, M.D.
President of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), Director of the Department of Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Control and the Director of the Antimicrobial Management Program for the University of Pennsylvania Health System

In celebration of International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), I wanted to draw attention to one of the key drivers of elimination of HAIs: collaboration. As Moving toward Elimination of Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Call to Action describes, a cooperative and team-based approach is the way toward success. We know this means applying consistently and cooperatively the tools and methods proven to work. Defined by the Call to Action, the broad-based pillars that make the goal of elimination possible are: adherence to evidence‐based practices; alignment of incentives; innovation in research; and collection of data to target efforts and measure progress. 

This fall marks some serious challenges: the emergence of increasingly dangerous resistant bacteria and the advent of the 2011 influenza season to name a few. It is the case that these issues and other enduring problems for infection prevention must be tackled through collaboration among stakeholders, including professional societies, agencies, policymakers, and administrators. But actions at the macro level are powerless if not underpinned by our full dedication as individual healthcare professionals. Even the simplest of our individual choices propel or hinder the goal of elimination and better patient safety. This call to action is not new, but is well served as a reminder that reaching the maximum reduction of HAIs also requires our individual, day-to-day dedication. This week provides a timely opportunity to reiterate these crucial steps: 

Cathryn Louise Murphy, RN, PhD, CIC

Guest Author -Cathryn Louise Murphy, RN, PhD, CIC
2010 President – Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology
Managing Director – Infection Control Plus
Associate Professor – Faculty of Health Services and Medicine, Bond University

Each year in October, infection preventionists (IPs) and others working toward the common goal of eliminating healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) observe International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW ). With IIPW 2010 upon us, it again seems prudent to consider some milestones in 2010. Given the long history of U.S. leadership in global HAI prevention, much of this posting will focus on U.S.-driven HAI prevention initiatives.

In March 2010, U.S. Consumer Reports published hospital-specific intensive care unit central line-associated bloodstream infection rates from the highest and lowest performing hospitals in 10 states where such data is publicly reported. The impact of providing such data to the public in terms of achieving further reductions is not yet clear. However, as Consumer Reports suggests, patients and their families can and should rightfully assume an increased role in ensuring caregivers provide high quality and safe care designed to reduce their risk of HAI acquisition.