THE VALUED VOICE

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released their 2016 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) Progress Report, based on 2014 data. The report expands upon and provides an update to previous reports detailing progress toward the ultimate goal of eliminating HAIs. The HAI Progress Report consists of national and state-by-state summaries of health care-associated infections. Infection data in this report includes central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), select surgical site infections (SSI), hospital-onset Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections, and hospital-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia (bloodstream infections). 

The report describes significant reductions reported at the national level in 2014 for nearly all infections when compared to the baseline data. CLABSI and abdominal hysterectomy SSI show the greatest reduction. Some progress is shown in reducing hospital-onset MRSA bacteremia and hospital-onset C. difficile infections. 

“Wisconsin hospitals and health systems are focused on collaborating to improve the quality of care for our patients,” according to Kelly Court, WHA chief quality officer. “We have made very good progress in reducing hospital-associated infections, and we continue to work together to drive the rate to zero.”