Hidden Areas of Infection in U.S. Hospitals

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Health care facilities in
the U.S. are entering a new era of "zero tolerance" for healthcare-associated
infections (HAI). Could there be hidden areas of infection that are being
overlooked? A new public health education program from the production company
Mission Critical attempts to answer that question.
The program, entitled "Hidden Areas of Infection,"
(http://www.missioncriticaltv.com/index-8-1.html) documents how an acute care
facility in Virginia is solving this enormous infection control problem
through planning, education, and the right equipment -- including the
widespread use of disposable products. Prime targets for disposable
technologies are reusable products that see use on thousands of different
patients, which can dramatically increase the risk of cross-contamination.
Examples include blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximetry sensors, and
electrocardiogram (ECG) wires.
Public awareness of the HAI epidemic is growing, helped by advocacy groups
such as the non-profit Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths (RID). Dr. Betsy
McCaughy, the former Lt. Governor of New York, founded this group in response
to a stunning statistic: Annual deaths from hospital infections in the U.S.
-- some 103,000 deaths per year -- exceed the death toll from AIDS, breast
cancer, and auto accidents combined (http://www.hospitalinfection.org/).
In addition to the moral imperative, hospitals will soon have another
compelling incentive to reduce infection rates -- one that affects their
bottom lines and reputations. In October 2008, the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin limiting reimbursements for certain
infections as part of the HAI zero tolerance mandate. Through these and other
actions, Congress hopes to create greater transparency around HAI events,
including making hospital infection data available to the public. It is hoped
that the end result will be a reduction in the number of HAIs as hospitals
commit larger resources to combat the problem, which could also save taxpayers
millions of dollars.
This documentary program from Mission Critical sheds light on
long-overlooked practices that have been taken for granted by many in the
health care community, until now. One of these practices is the
implementation of strict cleaning protocols meant to reduce infection risks
from reusable devices. However, as the program points out, cleaning
procedures alone do not ensure the elimination of harmful pathogens. There is
evidence, for example, that reusable ECG lead wires could be a significant
hidden reservoir for the microorganisms that are now running rampant in U.S.
health care facilities, despite the presence of cleaning procedures. In fact,
one study conducted at the University of Wisconsin found that over 77% of
reusable ECG lead wires tested harbored some strain of potentially deadly
antiobiotic-resistant pathogen after they had been cleaned.(1)
Inevitably, the cost of disposable devices needs to be weighed against the
benefits. Fortunately, the experience of Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in
Richmond, Virginia offers proof that the strategic use of disposable
monitoring accessories, along with a comprehensive infection reduction
program, can dramatically reduce not only cross-contamination risks, but also
costs.(2)
It is hoped that educational programs such as "Hidden Areas of Infection"
can continue to raise public awareness of this important issue and help
hospitals prepare for potentially reduced CMS reimbursements related to
hospital-acquired infections. As many health care providers are beginning to
realize, reaching for "zero" infections is not only attainable, it is also
cost-effective.
The Hidden Areas of Infection program will be broadcast into 89,000
hospitals in 88 countries within the next month. The Medical Broadcasting
Channel reaches an estimated 14 million nurses, 9 million physicians, and an
additional 5 million healthcare workers such as administrators and pharmacy.
(1) Jancin, B. (2004, March). Antiobiotic-resistant pathogens found on
77% of ECG lead wires. Cardiology News. vol 2.
(2) Holden, D. (Project Manager). (2008, March). Hidden Areas of
Infection [DVD]. Mission Critical: Capital Media Group; LS-954 - Bon Secours
mentioned in DVD video.
SOURCE LifeSync Corporation

Susan Simpson of LifeSync Corporation, 1-888-723-3310 (ext. 7364),
ssimpson@lifesynccorp.com