Healthcare Risk Management: Proactive Prevention vs. Reactive Solutions
Healthcare risk management is a critical component of providing safe and effective healthcare services. It involves identifying, assessing, and...
2 min read
Performance Health Partners
September 25, 2023
In recent times, the healthcare industry has witnessed a concerning trend: a noticeable increase in hospital acquired infections (HAIs). This rise has underscored the urgent need for healthcare facilities to enhance their infection prevention strategies. In this blog post, we will delve into the reasons behind this surge in HAIs, explore effective infection prevention strategies, and emphasize the critical role that everyone, from healthcare professionals to patients, plays in curbing this concerning trend.
According to data from the new Leapfrog Report, three of the most dangerous HAIs have shown double-digit increases in acute care settings across the country. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) have all drastically increased, putting some patients in life-or-death positions.
CLABSI ratios increased most drastically, with data reporting a 60% increase from pre-pandemic to 2021 and 2022. Along with being an increasing cause of death, this rise in HAIs also increases length of hospital stay and costs.
Several factors have contributed to the recent rise in hospital acquired infections. These include the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, increased patient acuity, and challenges posed by the global pandemic.
Last winter, nearly 80% of hospital beds across the United States were occupied. The pressure to manage a higher number of patients combined with limited resources and overwhelmed healthcare systems has created an environment where infections can easily spread.
Addressing the surge in HAIs requires a multifaceted approach that tackles both immediate concerns and long-term prevention. Healthcare organizations must invest time and effort into infection prevention control and promoting patient safety. Here are seven essential strategies that healthcare facilities can implement to strengthen infection prevention:
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and incident reporting software are closely related in the context of healthcare facilities' overall safety and quality management. Incident reporting software plays a significant role in the prevention and management of HAIs by providing a systematic approach to identifying, reporting, investigating, and mitigating various types of incidents, including those related to infections such as sepsis.
Several ways that incident reporting technology can aid in infection control are listed below:
In navigating the complexities of infection prevention and the rise in HAIs, collaboration between healthcare professionals, patients, and families is essential. By collectively embracing these strategies and leveraging technology, we can work towards a future where hospital-acquired infections are minimized, patient safety and quality are paramount, and healthcare environments are safer for all.
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