Resource Repository for Patient Safety Improvement: Reducing Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs)

This repository provides a curated selection of resources critical for healthcare professionals involved in implementing and sustaining patient safety initiatives, specifically focusing on the reduction of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs).

Target Audience:

• Healthcare professionals: Nurses, physicians, infection preventionists, quality improvement specialists, and other healthcare workers involved in patient care.

Goal:

To equip the target audience with the knowledge and resources necessary to effectively implement and sustain patient safety initiatives aimed at reducing HAIs.

1. National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)

• Description: The NHSN is a nationally notifiable healthcare-associated infection surveillance system managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It provides data on healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use in acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities.
• Usefulness:
  • Provides valuable data for benchmarking and identifying areas for improvement within the organization.
  • Enables healthcare facilities to compare their infection rates to national and regional benchmarks.
  • Supports data-driven decision-making in the development and implementation of infection prevention and control strategies.
• Value for Quality Improvement: Essential for tracking progress, identifying trends, and evaluating the effectiveness of infection prevention interventions.

2. The Joint Commission Standards

• Description: A set of national standards for healthcare organizations that address various aspects of patient safety, including infection prevention and control.
• Usefulness:
  • Provides a framework for developing and implementing effective infection prevention and control programs.
  • Helps organizations identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Supports the development of a culture of safety within the healthcare organization.
• Value for Quality Improvement: Ensures adherence to best practices and minimizes the risk of adverse events.

3. CDC Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare Settings

• Description: Provides comprehensive guidance on infection prevention and control practices, including hand hygiene, antimicrobial stewardship, and environmental cleaning.
• Usefulness:
  • Serves as a valuable resource for developing and implementing infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
  • Provides evidence-based recommendations for best practices in infection prevention.
  • Supports staff education and training on infection prevention and control principles.
• Value for Quality Improvement: Helps to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections and improve patient outcomes.

4. World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Healthcare

• Description: Provides global guidance on hand hygiene in healthcare settings, emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infections.
• Usefulness:
  • Provides a framework for developing and implementing effective hand hygiene programs.
  • Supports the selection and evaluation of hand hygiene products and technologies.
  • Promotes a culture of hand hygiene among healthcare workers.
• Value for Quality Improvement: Contributes to a significant reduction in healthcare-associated infections, particularly those transmitted through contaminated hands.

5. Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Toolkit for Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections

• Description: Provides a collection of tools and resources for healthcare organizations to improve their infection prevention and control practices.
• Usefulness:
  • Offers practical guidance on implementing specific interventions, such as hand hygiene bundles and antimicrobial stewardship programs.
  • Provides access to tools and templates for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
  • Supports the development and implementation of quality improvement projects.
• Value for Quality Improvement: Provides a valuable resource for healthcare professionals seeking to implement evidence-based practices and improve patient safety.

6. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Patient Safety Network

• Description: A national resource center for patient safety and quality improvement.
• Usefulness:
  • Provides access to a wealth of information on patient safety topics, including infection prevention and control.
  • Offers tools and resources for implementing patient safety initiatives.
  • Facilitates the exchange of best practices and lessons learned among healthcare organizations.
• Value for Quality Improvement: Supports the development and implementation of evidence-based patient safety initiatives.