Science-Based Strategies Take Aim at HAIs

For the first time, five healthcare leaders have collaborated to publish science-based strategies in a new compendium to help prevent the six most important healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The work is called the Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals.

Included in these strategies are the first-ever recommendations for detection and prevention of Clostridium difficile, and a detailed discussion on how to develop an active surveillance program for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These strategies are practical, easy-to-use and intended to help acute care hospitals focus their efforts by identifying what they should and should not be doing. They also provide internal performance measures and specify accountability.

Representatives from the five groups, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the AmericanHospital Association (AHA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (APIC), and The Joint Commission, participated in a press conference held today at the National Press Club.