WASHINGTON--For the first time, five healthcare leaders have collaborated to publish science-based strategies in a new compendium to help prevent the six most important healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The work is called the Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals.
To access the compendium information, click HERE.
Included in these strategies are the first-ever recommendations for detection and prevention of Clostridium difficile, and a detailed discussion on how to develop an active surveillance program for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These strategies are practical, easy-to-use and intended to help acute care hospitals focus their efforts by identifying what they should and should not be doing. They also provide internal performance measures and specify accountability.
Representatives from the five groups, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the American Hospital Association (AHA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (APIC), and The Joint Commission, participated in a press conference at the National Press Club.
Infection preventionist Marsha Patrick, speaking on behalf of APIC, reminded those present at the press conference that APIC’s members have been among the ones bringing the science to the bedside and the ones working with hospital staff to reduce the risk of infection.
“Infection prevention is everyone’s business,” Patrick said. “The C-suite sets the tone for the entire organization.” Patrick explained that at her four-hospital system, they have gone from just one or two infection control practitioners, to six people. “Our CEO gets it,” Patrick said. “It’s a top-down effect, and programs must be adequately resourced by organizational leadership.”
Patrick reminded attendees that there must be buy-in by all stakeholders for infection prevention strategies to work. “We must get everyone on board with evidence-based guidelines. We know the best practices but we have to get them down at the bedside. But we must be adequately resourced, because our patients deserve good outcomes. It’s unfortunate that it has taken the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to withdraw reimbursement to get the C-suite’s attention, but it takes what it takes.”
