Process Improvement: Facility wide Reduction in Hospital-Associated Infections Utilizing CHG for Oral Care and Preoperative Preparation

Abstract

a checklist format identifying the reportable information for UTI, SSI, pneumonia and/or clostridium difficile. Instructions are provided for the various categories, allowing outside agencies to assist in reporting infections after discharge. 4. Investigation is underway to find a standardized method to denote clostridium difficile infection(s) and the date of the occurrence(s) in the patient's chart so that health care providers can determine the patient's clostridium difficile status and use this information to select the most appropriate treatment for that patient. The current hospital antibiogram has been distributed to physician's offices and the health care facilities listed above to aide in choosing effective and appropriate antibiotic therapy. the antibiogram will be distributed every 6 months as available. Lesson Learned: Improvements in communication in our community have already had a positive impact on patient care as critical information is easier to locate as the patient moves between hospital, nursing homes, hospice/home care agencies and assisted living facilities. There is also a tremendous potential for education and sharing of ideas now that the lines of communication have been established. The true winner is the patient.