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Consumer Reports puts Upstate among teaching hospitals with best scores for preventing central line infections

Consumer Reports puts Upstate among teaching hospitals with best scores for preventing central line infections

The Consumer Reports article cited central line infections in intensive care units from Jan. 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2015. The data are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Consumer Reports gave Upstate its second highest rating, reserved for hospitals with at least 50 percent better than historic average. Consumer Reports used the average central line infection rate in U.S. hospitals from 2006 to 2008 as a baseline to access hospital performance.

“Preventing these infections takes constant vigilance and training, especially for new staff,” said Hans Cassagnol, MD, the hospital’s chief quality officer. “The recognition for these ongoing efforts can be shared with many at the hospital.”

The Consumer Reports recognition comes after the state Health Department praised Upstate earlier for its “outstanding work” in preventing hospital-acquired infections in intensive care units.

According to Waleed Javaid, MD, hospital epidemiologist and medical director of infection control, Upstate embarked on a very aggressive approach to curb these infections. One element of the work included completing a thorough analysis of each infection to find out the cause and how it could be prevented.

Among the best practices introduced at Upstate was the introduction of a standardized procedure cart, a simulation lab for physician training on central lines, microbial bathing of patients and the introduction of the clear MicroClave, a clear IV connector that allows nurses to observe for dried blood, a potential cause of infections.

In 2013-2014, the hospital created a Hospital Acquired Infection/CLABSI (Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection) Task Force comprised of members from Nursing, Quality, Hospital Administration, physicians, Value Analysis and Organizational Training and Development. The team meets monthly to review best practices and deploy strategies to continue reducing infections.

This review identified ways to better maintain the central lines, better engineering control for central lines and the use of IV port protectors. The result was a 70 percent reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infections.

Anne Snowdon, RN, BA, BSN, assistant director of nursing for perioperative services administration, takes the fight against infections beyond the ICUs to other areas of the hospital where she offers a mandatory education program, “Infection Prevention is Everyone’s Business.” The education focuses not only central line infusions but also PICC lines, where a central catheter provides intravenous access for medicines and nutrition.

Central line associated bloodstream infections occur when germs enter the bloodstream through a central line, a tube place in a vein to deliver fluids medications. Such infections can lead to medical complications.

Caption: Anne Snowdon, assistant director of nursing for perioperative services administration, displays some of the training tools used in learning best practices for reducing central line infections.

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