The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services' public health services division released a report detailing the number of healthcare-acquired infections at New Hampshire ASCs in 2016.
Here are six key findings:
1. Of licensed New Hampshire ASCs, 96 percent complied with HAI mandatory reporting laws. Only one ASC did not comply.
2. Compared to national data, state ASCs reported comparable infection rates for procedures, including breast, hernia and open reduction of fractures.
3. Twelve ASCs reported instances of surgical site infections. Of these, all had similar rates to national data.
4. New Hampshire ASCs had a 99.1 percent adherence rate regarding ordering surgical IV antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent SSIs.
5. New Hampshire ASCs had a vaccination coverage rate between 53.1 percent and 99.1 percent, compared to the overall state average of 83.3 percent for the 2016 to 2017 influenza season. New Hampshire fared better than the national average vaccination rate of 76.3 percent.
6. For the 2016 to 2017 influenza season, 14 New Hampshire ASCs had mandatory influenza vaccination polices for healthcare personnel.
