12 Feb Hospital Infection Control Adherence Variable
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Patricia W. Stone, PhD, FAAN
Columbia University School of Nursing
New York, NY 10032.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Stone: Our study found variation in the presence of infection control policies directed at central-line bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Even when present, the policies were adhered to only about half of the time.
MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?
Dr. Stone: Given that these evidence-based guidelines are aimed at preventing healthcare-associated infections which result in approximately 100,000 thousand deaths annually, the extent of non-compliance is disappointing.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Stone: We would like clinicians to take this report as a call for action- we should be doing every single thing we can, every day, for every patient, to avoid preventable infections.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Stone: Implementation and compliance with policies aimed at urinary tract infections were seen least frequently. Dissemination and implementation studies are needed to improve the evidence base for prevention of these infections and increase compliance.
Citation:
State of infection prevention in US hospitals enrolled in the National Health and Safety Network
Last Updated on February 12, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD