Get Ready for the New CLABSI Reporting Requirement
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is encouraging infection preventionists to educate themselves about the reporting of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) on the CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). This reporting is mandatory in order to be in compliance with the 2011 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2011, NHSN will be the tool used by facilities electing to participate in the CMS HAI IPPS Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, formerly known as Reporting Hospital Quality Data for Annual Payment Update (RHQDAPU). As part of that program, central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) data from each facilitys adult and pediatric intensive care units and neonatal intensive care units will be reported to NHSN and shared with CMS. Each facilitys data will be also be included in CMS Hospital Compare tool, which publicly reports hospital performance in a consistent and unified manner. This new partnership with CMS is step toward greater transparency of healthcare-acquired infection (HAI) data, and also toward stronger accountability within the U.S. healthcare system. It also highlights the importance of strong facility-level support for infection prevention programs and professionals.
For more details from the NHSN, CLICK HERE.
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