Hospital Infection Control & Prevention – September 1, 2011
September 1, 2011
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CMS cutbacks get catheters out quicker, but spur questionable testing policies
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services controversial 2008 policy to cut reimbursement for selected health care associated infections (HAIs) has led to some positive prevention measures while fulfilling some predicted unintended consequences, according to an unpublished national survey of infection preventionists. -
CMS: 'Now that we have your attention.'
While IPs would no doubt like to see even higher numbers, one effect of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 2008 reimbursement cuts is that more hospital senior administration and clinical leaders are preaching the gospel of infection prevention. -
Reporting skyrockets, will prevention follow?
The continuing state and federal mandates requiring hospitals to report healthcare associated infections threatens to outstrip their original justification, raising questions about whether the labor-intensive efforts will result in true reductions of HAIs, warned Patricia Stone, PhD, FAAN, professor of nursing and director of the Center for Health Policy at Columbia University in New York City. -
Response changes as gram neg HAIs rise
The U.S. public health system is trying to catch up with the explosion of infections with multidrug resistant gram negative rods (MDR-GNR) by standardizing surveillance definitions and changing laboratory breakpoints. -
Critical Care 1509
As the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration moves deliberatively toward an infectious diseases standard, two paradigms could spell very different fates for a proposed rule. -
CDC sets a standard measure for flu shots
A proposed National Quality Forum measure may standardize the way hospitals calculate their health care worker influenza immunization rates. -
iP Newbe: Be a team player, but don't quit your day job
It is safe to say various professionals in healthcare are expected to participate in activities beyond their original area of expertise.