Illinois Department of Public Health director Dr. Damon T. Arnold recently announced that overall, hospitals in Illinois reported fewer healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in 2010 compared to 2009. As part of its continual update of the Illinois Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care Web site, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) analyzed central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) data and found more than 75 percent of Illinois hospitals had the same number, or fewer, central line-associated bloodstream infection cases in 2010 compared to 2009. In 2009, 383 bloodstream infections were reported in adult intensive care units in Illinois; in 2010, only 282 were reported.
"Although results are only for two years, they indicate a significant step forward in the prevention of infection and protection of Illinois patients," Arnold says. "Hospital surveillance of infections and public reporting on the Illinois Hospital Report Card Web site play key roles in prevention efforts. In addition, many Illinois hospitals have incorporated targeted interventions to reduce bloodstream infections."
An estimated 248,000 bloodstream infections occur in U.S. hospitals each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a large proportion of these infections are associated with the presence of a central vascular catheter. Bloodstream infections are usually serious infections typically causing a prolongation of hospital stay and increased cost and risk of mortality. While it is difficult to reduce infections to zero, following specific protocols can greatly reduce the risk.
The Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care Web site allows consumers to find information about healthcare-associated infections, nurse staffing, emergency room use and a host of other adult and pediatric quality and safety measures. The latest data on the Illinois Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care can be found at http://www.healthcarereportcard.illinois.gov/
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.
Beyond the Surface: Rethinking Environmental Hygiene Validation at Exchange25
June 30th 2025Environmental hygiene is about more than just shiny surfaces. At Exchange25, infection prevention experts urged the field to look deeper, rethink blame, and validate cleaning efforts across the entire care environment, not just EVS tasks.