Healthcare-associated infections are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions within a healthcare setting. Healthcare-associated infections are one of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. In American hospitals alone, healthcare-associated infections account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths each year. (CDC). HAI are costly both to the Healthcare Facility and to the patient. Beginning Oct. 1, 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) no longer provide reimbursement over and above the typical Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rate for care required to battle several types of healthcare-associated infection, also referred to as hospital acquired infection (HAI). Also, HAIs lead to reoccurring admissions, long term healthcare complications, and sometimes death.
“Bundles” help health care providers more reliably deliver the best possible care for patients undergoing particular treatments with inherent risks. A bundle is a structured way of improving the processes of care and patient outcomes, based on evidence-based practices that, when performed collectively and reliably, have been proven to improve patient outcomes. Below are links to evidence-based practices developed for the purpose of reducing Healthcare Associated Infections.
Reference: A Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals. SHEA October 2009