Agency News and Notes

Updated report highlights hospitals’ progress in reducing bloodstream infections

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released a second report that highlights the progress that has been achieved by hospitals taking part in a national effort to reduce the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) by implementing a Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP). Eliminating CLABSI: A National Patient Safety Imperative-Second Progress Report on the National On the CUSP: Stop BSI Project provides an update on the impact of the project and the number of State hospital associations, hospitals, and hospital teams that are implementing the clinical and safety culture changes proven to reduce CLABSI. Adult intensive care units included in this report are drawn from 32 States and territories and more than 75 hospitals. This is an increase to 10 States and 400 hospitals since November 2010. These units have reduced their CLABSI rates by an average of 33 percent. As of November 2010, CLABSI rates had decreased by an average of 35 percent, indicating rates are continuing to decrease but at a marginally slower rate. You can access the report at www.ahrq.gov/qual/clabsiupdate.

Research Activities, November 2011: Agency News and Notes: Updated report highlights hospitals’ progress in reducing bloodstream infections