Pennsylvania’s ongoing efforts to protect patients from unnecessary infections in healthcare settings are bringing measurable results, said Gov. Edward G. Rendell as he released a report showing marked improvements in the number of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), reported by hospitals.
From 2008 to 2009, there was a 12.5 percent decrease in HAIs, which are infections that patients acquired while in a healthcare setting and were not present when they were admitted for care.
“Curbing – and ultimately eliminating – healthcare-associated infections is an urgent priority for two reasons: doing so prevents unnecessary illnesses and deaths, and it also helps to help eliminate the avoidable costs of treating these infections,” said Rendell. “While the 12.5 percent decline in HAIs is encouraging, there is still more important work remaining to be done.”
The data is reported by hospitals under Act 52, which Rendell signed in 2007 as part of his continuing efforts to improve the quality and delivery of health care under his Prescription for Pennsylvania initiative.
“Pennsylvania is a national leader in addressing the challenge of eliminating HAIs as a public health concern,” said Rendell. “Patients should not have to worry that simply being admitted to the hospital could put them at risk for acquiring a serious but preventable illness. And curbing HAIs will go a long way toward controlling the cost of healthcare.”
In addition to being one of the top causes of excess illness and death in the U.S., HAIs produce extra days of hospitalization and drive up healthcare costs. In Pennsylvania alone, HAIs have been cumulatively estimated to drive up costs by more than $3 billion annually. Nationwide, the cost estimate is more than $30 billion per year.
