Infections contracted by patients in Pennsylvania hospitals dropped nearly 8 percent from 2006 to 2007, according to new figures released today by Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4). PHC4’s latest study reports that 27,949 patients contracted an infection during their hospitalization in calendar year 2007, down from 30,237 patients in 2006. This represents a drop in the infection rate of 7.8 percent, from 19.2 infections per 1,000 cases in 2006, down to 17.7 per 1,000 cases in 2007. The 2007 numbers are the most recent data available.
"The decline in the infection rate from 2006 to 2007 reaffirms that Pennsylvania continues to make progress, and in fact, leads the way on this important public health issue," says David R. Kreider, PHC4's chairman. "Pennsylvania hospitals and medical providers should be commended for their commitment to the public reporting process and for their ongoing clinical efforts to prevent these infections."
“Hospital-acquired Infections in Pennsylvania,” PHC4’s third hospital-specific report on hospital-acquired infections, includes information on approximately 1.6 million patients treated in 165 general acute-care hospitals. This latest report marks the first time it was possible for PHC4 to include comparative data on annual infection rates because hospitals confirmed and reported the same infection types in both 2006 and 2007.
Because not all hospitals treat the same types of patients, facilities were categorized by "peer groups" so that hospitals that offer similar types and complexity of services and treat a similar number of patients are displayed together. In addition to the number of cases and infection rate per 1,000 cases, information on mortality, mean and median length of stay, and mean and median charges are presented for each hospital.
In July 2007, Governor Rendell and the Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted Act 52 to adopt a comprehensive approach to the problem of hospital-acquired infections. The legislation has outlined a multi-pronged initiative to prevent, track and reduce such infections, with the potential to save thousands of lives, avoid countless complications and significantly restrain health care costs.
PHC4 is an independent state agency charged with collecting, analyzing and reporting cost and quality healthcare information. Copies of the new report are free and available on the Council's Web site at http://www.phc4.org.
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.
New Study Explores Oral Vancomycin to Prevent C difficile Recurrence, But Questions Remain
July 17th 2025A new clinical trial explores the use of low-dose oral vancomycin to prevent Clostridioides difficile recurrence in high-risk patients taking antibiotics. While the data suggest a possible benefit, the findings stop short of statistical significance and raise red flags about vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), underscoring the delicate balance between prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness
July 16th 2025Despite their smooth, polished exteriors, surgical instruments often harbor dangerous contaminants deep inside their lumens. At the HSPA25 and APIC25 conferences, Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and her colleagues revealed why borescopes are an indispensable tool for sterile processing teams, offering the only reliable way to verify internal cleanliness and improve sterile processing effectiveness to prevent patient harm.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.