IHI Announces Pilot Program with CDC to Improve Antibiotic Use in Hospital

Cambridge, Massachusetts—The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) announced the launch of a pilot testing program designed to avoid overuse and misuse of antibiotics in hospitals. Designed in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the program focuses on a new jointly developed initiative, the CDC/IHI Driver Diagram and Change Package for Antibiotic Stewardship.

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Getting a Feel for Better Infection Control

Getting a Feel for Better Infection Control

 

For every 100 patients admitted to U.S. hospitals in 2002, 4.5 patients developed a nosocomial infection, also known as a hospital-acquired infection (HAI) (Graves & McGowan, 2008), and many experts believe the percentage has risen in recent years. Under new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines, healthcare providers may risk partial or full denial of reimbursement for procedures where staff medical errors such as infections arise from a lack of training.

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Central Line Infections: Targeting Zero on an Oncology Unit

Central Line Infections: Targeting Zero on an Oncology Unit

A physician commented that he was concerned about central line care for his patients. While this is a common concern in many organizations, it was not acceptable in one that aspired to achieve performance at best practice levels.

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Hand Hygiene Measurement and Education

Hand Hygiene Measurement and Education

Compliance improvement can be successful, sustained, and cost effective.

Hand hygiene (HH) is one of the most effective practices that all individuals in a healthcare facility who deliver healthcare services and have direct contact with the patient (healthcare worker, or HCW) can perform to help prevent the spread of infection among patients.

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