A Mixed Bag: Electronic Health Records and ICU Quality Improvement
Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine found significant reductions in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and surgical intensive care unit (SICU) mortality rates after implementation of electronic health records (EHR). The study found no significant impact on length of stay, Clostridium difficile colitis rates, or readmission rates after adoption of an EHR system.
The retrospective chart review recorded quality indicators for patients admitted to ICU care over a period of two years. The rate of CLABSI per 1,000 catheter days was 85 percent lower, and overall SICU mortality was 28 percent lower. EHR implementation also resulted in a significant increase in the average number of coded diagnoses from 17.8 to 20.8.
"Considering the large investment into EHRs and the high cost associated with ICU care, it's important to develop EHRs that improve ICU quality of care," says Mark J. Rosen, MD.
Source: American College of Chest Physicians
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.
Getting Down and Dirty With PPE: Presentations at HSPA by Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski
June 26th 2025In the heart of the hospital, decontamination technicians tackle one of health care’s dirtiest—and most vital—jobs. At HSPA 2025, 6 packed workshops led by experts Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski spotlighted the crucial, often-overlooked art of PPE removal. The message was clear: proper doffing saves lives, starting with your own.
