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The Kishwaukee Community Hospital nurses and physicians recognized the opportunity to improve care by eliminating intensive care unit catheter-related blood stream infections. The project included baseline measurement and understanding of causes of variation, implementation of new evidence-based…
Infection Control surveillance identified 49 episodes of CLABSI from July 2008-June 2009, greater than the NHSN benchmark of less than 2.4 per 1,000. A multidisciplinary team was created to analyze processes and find the root cause. As a result, a 2 percent chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing…
After experiencing an increase in CLABSI, the vascular access team and infection prevention and control practitioners conducted root cause analysis to determine a variety of contributing factors.
Using a sequential rapid cycle improvement process to implement evidence-based practices for central line blood stream infection prevention, the hospital reduced its critical care central line blood stream infection rate from 14.6 per 1,000 device days in 2004 to zero for the past 57 months. A…
Infection control data demonstrated an increase in the incidence of primary bacteremia associated with hemodialysis and was reported at a rate of 3.5 per 1,000 dialysis catheter days. The cases were reviewed and found to be consistent with staphylococcus suggesting skin as the source organism. A…
Fairfield Memorial Hospital identified the need to improve the patient experience in the emergency department through meaningful interactions between the medical team, patients and families. A Studer Group Coach provided on-site consultation and instruction on AIDET (acknowledge, introduce,…
Among the agencies that have made a substantial effort toward competency is the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass, in Lexington, Kentucky. Serving nearly 4,800 long-term care residents in nursing homes, family and personal care homes across 17 counties in Kentucky's Bluegrass…
Although Maryland enjoys the third highest median income in the United States, the state suffers from some glaring health disparities that primarily affect the racial and ethnic minorities who make up nearly 42 percent of its population. But with renewed interest in health equity, the state is…
This article discusses divergent concepts of population health between care delivery systems and public health and suggests potential innovations for bridging these gaps.
This discussion paper analyzes factors that attribute to better outcomes at lower costs. The authors have compiled a checklist that addresses: Foundational elements; Infrastructure fundamentals; Care delivery priorities; and Reliability and feedback. Each section is illustrated with case studies…