Three of the deadliest and most stubborn healthcare-associated infections are on the rise in acute care facilities across the country, according to Leapfrog Group, which released the Seasonal Hospital Safety Score. Spring 2023 on Wednesday.
WHY IT IMPORTANT
Data from the new Leapfrog report showed a double-digit increase in HAIs including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, central line-associated bloodstream infections, and catheter-related urinary tract infections.
Those rates were at a 5-year high during the COVID-19 crisis period – and remain reported high, compare this infection data for this Safety Level cycle (including late 2021) and 2022) with previous levels from 2021 .
Nationwide, by those numbers:
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Average CLABSI infection rate increased by 60%
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Average MRSA infection rate increased by 37%
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Average CAUTI prevalence increased by 19%
Leah Binder, CEO of Leapfrog Group said in a statement: “The significant increase in HAIs reported during this Safety Level cycle will prompt hospitals to stop monitoring. “Infections like these can be life or death for some patients. We recognize the enormous strain the pandemic puts on hospitals and their workforces, But alarming findings like these show that hospitals must be committed to ensuring patient safety and enhancing resilience.”
The standardized infection rate measurement – comparing the actual number of TWO at each hospital with the predicted number of infections – was applied to the six different TWO in the Leap Report.
Across the country, the increase in infections varies by state. Thirty-two of the 50 states had a significant increase in CLABSI, while 18 had a significant increase in MRSA. In both cases, the largest increase was in West Virginia. Meanwhile, 11 of the 50 states have seen a significant increase in CAUTIs, with the largest increase seen in New Mexico.
Although rates of MRSA, CLABSI, and CAUTI worsened, on average, a positive sign was that C. Diff infections improved by 15% from spring 2021 to spring 2023. There was no significant change in postoperative wound infection.
TREND TO BIGGER WOMAN
But Leapfrog also has some criticism of hospitals in other areas. The Safety Level report shows that patient experience continues to decline, as reported by patients and correlates with patient outcomes.
The Leapfrog team reports on five specific patient experience measures that impact patient safety outcomes: communication, physician communication, staff response, medication communication, and communication hospital discharge.
Nationally, all are down from pre-pandemic levels, the new report shows – with the most dramatic declines in health communications (4.28% drop) and staff responsiveness ( down 3.46%).
Despite these safety concerns, some hospitals are making strides in managing TWO and preventing their most adverse effects, using technology to improve safety efforts. for all patients.
Just today, HITN Managing Editor Bill Siwicki profiled Tampa General, which has helped reduce early mortality from sepsis with the implementation of early warning systems – which has also helped increased use of evidence-based medical orders by clinicians, reducing overall hospital mortality.
And at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, a new NASA-inspired Patient Development Center is using AI predictive analytics and real-time data to streamline care coordination, increase safety and improve the patient experience from admission to discharge.
ON PROFILE
“Two are not only one of the leading causes of death in the United States, they also increase length of hospital stay and further increase costs,” Binder said of the new Leapfrog report. “Our pre-pandemic data shows improved TWO measures, but the Spring 2023 Safety Level data shows how the hospital response to the pandemic has led to a decline in TWO management and patient safety.”
Mike Miliard is executive editor of Healthcare IT News
Email the writer: [email protected]
Healthcare IT News is a publication of HIMSS.
