| November 1, 2011 | For More Information Contact: Andy Van Pelt 503-479-6018 |
Hospitals work with Johns Hopkins University to eliminate blood stream infections
Members of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) will join experts from Johns Hopkins University today to continue ongoing conversation about how to eliminate Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections, or CLABSI. The STOP BSI program is an integral component of the HAI (healthcare-acquired infection) Collaborative managed by the Oregon Patient Safety Commission (OPSC).
The STOP BSI program is more than a checklist for insertion or maintenance of central lines. The program also includes CUSP, a comprehensive unit based safety program, which provides the structure for enabling a patient safety culture. Elements of CUSP include: education on the science of safety, engagement of senior leadership, identifying and learning from defects in care, and implementing teamwork tools.
"Coming together as an industry of health providers to discuss evidence-based best practices with health quality experts is a tremendous opportunity for our hospitals," stated Diane Waldo, director of quality and clinical services for OAHHS. "The reduction in cost associated with the care of these infections is dramatic and will ultimately result in less days of hospital care and an improved patient experience."
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year an estimated 250,000 CLABSI infections occur in U.S. hospitals. In Oregon, according to the last state report issued by the Oregon office of Health Policy and Research, The CLABSI rate for 2010 was approximately 60 percent lower than the national rate and 40 percent lower than the 2009 state reported rate. While this is a measure of success in reducing CLABSI, this collaborative program will further enforce the need to drive these rates lower. There are more than 1,000 hospitals across the country participating in this program, with (10 hospitals) 15 Oregon hospital units participating.
The two-day event will feature two experts from Johns Hopkins University. Melinda Sawyer, RN, MSN is a Senior Research Coordinator in the Quality and Safety Research Group (QSRG) and also serves as the Patient Safety Officer for the Department of Medicine of the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Her clinical experiences led her to the field of patient safety and as a result, she recently completed a Masters of Nursing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist with a focus on Patient Safety.
Kristina Weeks, MHS is a member of the faculty in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and is a member of The Johns Hopkins Quality and Safety Research Group (QSRG). She is also one of the project managers of the national project On the CUSP: Stop BSI. Ms. Weeks holds a Master of Health Science degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
"We are excited to be able to share this educational opportunity with Oregon hospitals. They have made excellent progress on eliminating CLABSI infections. Bringing hospital staff together to network and share experiences with the expertise of national faculty is invaluable to sustaining the gains for Oregon hospitals," stated Melissa Parkerton, Collaborative Director, for the OPSC.
About OAHHS: Founded in 1934, the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) is a statewide, nonprofit trade association that works closely with local and national government leaders, business and citizen coalitions, and other professional health care organizations to enhance and promote community health and to continue improving Oregon's innovative health care industry. OAHHS represents the 58 acute care community hospitals in Oregon and two specialty hospitals.
About OPSC: The Oregon Patient Safety Commission is a semi-independent state agency charged by the Oregon Legislature with reducing the risk of serious adverse events occurring in Oregon's health care system and encouraging a culture of patient safety. The Commission consists of a 17-member board appointed by the Governor, which represents diverse healthcare interests, including consumers. The Commission provides an independent voice for patient safety in the state of Oregon through adverse event reporting, evidence-based prevention practices, and quality improvement.
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