Using a widely promoted checklist strategy created by Johns Hopkins doctor Peter Pronovost and adopted by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, 44 Illinois hospital ICUs reported zero central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) last year.
The organizations are part of a 52-hospital collaborative that aims to eliminate CLABSIs in ICUs, according to the Chicago Tribune. The program has helped hospitals like Winfield's Central DuPage to significantly decrease the number of infections; DuPage's infections, which were at 19 for its two ICUs in 2008, dropped to just one last year.
But some hospitals continue to struggle. Chicago-based Thorek Memorial Hospital reported 22 CLABSI cases last year, while Roseland Community Hospital reported six infections. Thorek President Frank Solare pointed to an ex-employee "over-reporting" infection numbers for its high rate. Roseland blamed miscalculations for its troubles, the Tribune reports. Both are participating in the collaborative.
To learn more:
- read this Chicago Tribune piece
- here's the Illinois Hospital report card