Secretary Sebelius Releases Inaugural Health Care "Success Story" Report

Michigan Keystone ICU Project Reduced Healthcare Associated Infections,
Saved Over 1,500 Lives and $200 Million

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released the first in a series of health
care "success story" reports that document innovative programs and initiatives
that can serve as models for a reformed American health care system. The
inaugural report highlights the Michigan Keystone ICU Project. A joint
partnership between the Michigan Health & Hospital Association and the Johns
Hopkins University, the Michigan Keystone ICU Project helped dramatically reduce
the number of health care associated infections in Michigan, saving over 1,500
lives and $200 million.

"We know there are tremendous examples of efficient, high-quality health care in
America today. Our challenge is spreading these good examples across the
country," said Sebelius. "Our reports will showcase success stories like the
Michigan Keystone ICU Project and highlight how health reform can improve the
quality of care for all Americans."

Medical errors including health care associated infections claim the lives of
nearly 100,000 patients in America every year and patient safety measures have
worsened by nearly 1 percent each year for the past decade. The Michigan
Keystone ICU Project worked to make patient care safer in over 100 ICUs in the
state of Michigan. The project targeted a specific type of infection that ICU
patients can get while in the hospital: catheter-related bloodstream infections.
To help reduce these infections, the project worked to ensure clinicians used a
simple checklist when inserting catheters into ICU patients.

Following the checklist was associated with a 66 percent reduction in these
infections throughout the state of Michigan, saving over 1,500 lives and $200
million in the first 18 months alone. This project was funded by a grant from
the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and for every dollar invested,
approximately $200 was saved.

"Americans don`t expect to get additional infections when they go into the
hospital," said Sebelius. "Stopping health care associated infections and
improving the quality of care is one of our top priorities."

The Obama Administration has already begun work to reduce health care associated
infections. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) included $50
million in grants available for states to help fight health care associated
infections across the country. Secretary Sebelius has also called on hospitals
across America to commit to reduce Central Line Associated Blood Stream
Infections in Intensive Care Units by 75 percent over the next three years by
using the same checklist that has shown such success in Michigan.

The President is also working to enact health reform that will emphasize quality
care over quantity and makes health care more affordable for American families,
businesses and the government.

"When we enact health reform, we can improve quality, help control costs and
ensure success stories like the Michigan Keystone ICU Project become the rule,
not the exception," added Sebelius.

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

Copyright Business Wire 2009