What is a “best practice” for the prevention of Healthcare
Associated Infections(HAI)? The following link should be a good “start” in my
opinion. As emphasized in the past, programs like “Patient Safety First”
developed by Anthem Blue Cross are changing healthcare both in safety and efficiencies
and in this case actually reducing elective deliveries, do not ask me to
explain, I am just the messenger!
Why start here, in my
opinion, because it is a proven process, to improve upon these gains will be exponentially
more challenging, perhaps requiring the resources of a much larger group, the “low
lying fruit has been picked”! But even at the current success rates the slight
variation between, say, two hundred different programs across the nation, could
yield a large body of data concerning prevention of HAI right out of the gate!
The California
Department of Public Health has expressed interest in exploring the feasibility
of developing something like a “Database of Best Practices for the Prevention
of HAI” so all healthcare facilities can “start” where programs like Anthem
Blue Cross’s “Patient Safety First” left off, from all that I have learned this
may well have to be a very robust program, add elective deliveries to the list.
Perhaps the greatest gain will be to maximize the return on investment on the
current surveillance system. The first thing a good quality engineer will ask,
as in our shop, is “what are you learning from all of the rejects”, I am not
sure penalizing for a better outcome is going to get you off the list,
constantly improving a standard process just might help you land some more
work!
Please let us hope
that the good science finds its way to help out our Veteran’s!
"If we
can improve the quality of care, that will translate into lower cost,"
Anthem President Pam Kehaly said. "These are real dollars”
“hai-five” and “have fun” wash and dry your hands first
please!
Michael H. Slavinski
ps: the caliber of professional that I have been exposed to
over the past year concerning the development of the advocacy for the prevention
of Healthcare Associated Infections in our Veteran’s Hospitals “hai-five” has
been most overwhelming! O.K., this link is no exception, “congratulations”!
The picture, another parade, “Pioneer Days” here in Paso
Robles, CA this weekend!
