BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center is gaining national honors for a long-term study showing promise in reducing the incidence of bloodstream infections. The hospital has been awarded a grant from the New York State Department of Health, and the study will be featured in an upcoming Joint Commission Satellite Network (JCSN) live and interactive broadcast of infection control best practices.

The study, conducted over a three-year period, outlines Brookdale's efforts to reduce central venous catheter (CVC)-related bloodstream infections by implementing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) recommendations. The four key interventions used in the study included the establishment of an education and awareness program; conversion of silver-chlorhexidine (CHG) to silver-platinum catheters; use of a barrier kit containing sterile gloves, gown and mask; and use of a 2 percent chlorhexidine gluconate/70 percent isopropyl alcohol skin preparation. 

Data shows that the four key interventions utilized in the study, including the use of ChloraPrepr One-Step (2 percent w/v chlorhexidine gluconate and 70 percent v/v isopropyl alcohol), resulted in the overall avoidance of 237 CR-BSI cases over a 39-month period and a potential annual savings of more than $2.5 million.

"We are proud to receive this level of recognition for this important study," said Robert Garcia, lead researcher and assistant director of infection control for Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center. "With more than 250,000 CVC-related bloodstream infections occurring annually in the United States, it is crucial to find methods that can reduce the rate of infection. We've not seen evidence of a larger project that had such success."

The New York State Department of Health grant was awarded to Brookdale as part of a statewide patient safety initiative for the advancement of quality assurance measures and effective clinical practices to ensure that high quality health care is afforded to patients. In its third year of funding, the Patient Safety Awards program recognizes those health care facilities that have developed innovative patient safety measures.

 The JCSN 90-minute broadcast, titled "Infection Control: Reducing Risk of Infections and Preparing for Emerging Pathogens" will occur Thursday, April 15, 2004 and can be accessed by visiting http://www.pwpl.com/healthcare/jcsn/schedule04.asp.