Although some notable teaching hospitals excel in preventing hospital-acquired infections, other teaching hospitals do not, according to research conducted by Consumer Reports.
The organization compiled data from The Leapfrog Group on central line-associated bloodstream infections patient acquired in teaching hospitals. Their research showed no improvement in the number of hospitals reporting zero infections this year compared to last year, according to the news report.
In fact, three teaching hospitals received Consumer Reports' lowest ranking for bloodstream infections: Saint Louis (Mo.) University Hospital, Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., and Regional Medical Center at Memphis (Tenn.). Sixty-four other teaching hospitals receive Consumer Reports' second lowest ranking.
Since the Consumer Reports' news release, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology issued a notice to its members outlining its concerns with the study. Consumer Reports' research only provides consumers with a "partial picture of performance involving prevention of HAIs," the notice stated.
Among the study's deficiencies, APIC highlighted:
Read the Consumer Reports study on patient safety at teaching hospitals.
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The organization compiled data from The Leapfrog Group on central line-associated bloodstream infections patient acquired in teaching hospitals. Their research showed no improvement in the number of hospitals reporting zero infections this year compared to last year, according to the news report.
In fact, three teaching hospitals received Consumer Reports' lowest ranking for bloodstream infections: Saint Louis (Mo.) University Hospital, Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., and Regional Medical Center at Memphis (Tenn.). Sixty-four other teaching hospitals receive Consumer Reports' second lowest ranking.
Since the Consumer Reports' news release, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology issued a notice to its members outlining its concerns with the study. Consumer Reports' research only provides consumers with a "partial picture of performance involving prevention of HAIs," the notice stated.
Among the study's deficiencies, APIC highlighted:
- The study did not account for differing patient populations. "An urban 'safety-net' Level 1 trauma center, for example, serves a very different group of patients with a higher risk of infection than a small community hospital," the notice stated.
- The study relies on 2009 data, which may skew HAI rates since many infection prevention strategies have since been implemented across teaching facilities.
- A lack of standardized reporting methods may also skew HAI rates. A hospital, for instance, with a more "robust" reporting program may identify and report more infections. This means higher infection rates could indicate more intense surveillance rather than a lack of proper infection control practices.
Read the Consumer Reports study on patient safety at teaching hospitals.
Related Articles on Patient Safety:
Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality and Access Act of 2011 Introduced in House
California Department of Health Fines 12 Hospitals for Patient Safety Violations
Patient Safety Tool: AHRQ Pamphlet for Reducing Medication Errors
