Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)

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General Information about HAIs

Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) are infections that patients can get after having medical or surgical treatments. These infections can happen when needles and tubes are inserted through a person's skin.  The skin is the natural protection against bacteria and other organisms. Insertion of needles and devices provide a point of entry for bacteria into the body.  They can then get into the blood stream and internal organs and spaces. Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) have the highest risk of HAIs because of the number of procedures they undergo.  They also have serious health problems. HAIs can make a patient's illness worse and hospital stay longer. They also can be passed on to other individuals.
 For more information, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site contains estimates for the number of healthcare associated infections.  In American hospitals alone, healthcare-associated infections account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths each year. More information can be found on the CDC web site: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/hai.html

 

Information about HAIs that are reportable in South Carolina

In July 2007, South Carolina hospitals began reporting Central Line Associated Bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in Medical and Surgical Intensive Care or any combination of the two types of units.  Hospitals report infections by the type of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) involved.  A hospital might have medical/surgical, coronary, medical, surgical, pediatric, or neonatal ICUs. Reporting by ICU allows for a fairer comparison between hospitals. It takes into account different types of patients and the different risks for infection. In January 2008, CLABSI infection reporting began in all general units in small hospitals with less than 150 beds.

Surgical Site Infections (SSI) are reported by procedure. The infection rates are adjusted to take into account differences in patient risk.  The length of the surgery, the type of surgical wound for that procedure and the patient's physical condition change those risks. Surgical procedures selected for SSI reporting are serious.  They are performed in a variety of facilities.  They tend to be associated with HAIs.  In the first reporting period beginning in July 2007, these procedures included abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies and coronary artery bypass surgery. Beginning in January 2008, cholecystectomy (gall bladder surgery) and hip and knee repair procedures were added to the list of conditions hospitals will report.

 

"Hospital Compare" website:   www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/hospital
This website provides information on patient quality, including prevention and care of surgical site infections.  "Hospital Compare" was developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA). "Hospital Compare" shows measures based on data from hospitals' patient records. The data is converted to reports that measure how well hospitals care for their patients.   Follow the instructions on the web site to locate specific hospitals in South Carolina.