Editor's Commentary - Estimating the proportion of healthcare-associated infections that are reasonably preventable and the related mortality and costs

BERKELEY, CA (UroToday.com) - CAUTIs are a major source of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) and negatively impact patient safety.

Evidence-based guidelines on prevention of CAUTIs are available for clinicians. On May 17, 2011, the JCAHO announced it had approved a new National Patient Safety Goal for 2012 for CAUTIs, which will be applicable to hospital and critical access hospital accreditation programs: http://www.jointcommission.org/new_2012_national_patient_safety_goal_cauti/.

The patient safety goal is to implement evidence-based practices to prevent CAUTI. It has been estimated that as many as 65%-70% of cases of CAUTIs may be preventable if these strategies are applied. CAUTI may be the most preventable HAI. Implementation of these guidelines can improve patient care, decrease mortality and save hospitals billions of dollars.

 

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2011 Feb;32(2):101-14

PubMed Abstract
PMID: 21460463

 

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