When a hospital stay is necessary, the last thing you want is for your hospital to cause a hospital-acquired infection. At HHC we believe that all hospital-acquired infections are preventable and we are making very steady progress towards this goal. One of the easiest ways to prevent infections is through hand washing. HHC has embarked on several corporate-wide initiatives to help reduce hospital acquired infections. These initiatives have an even stronger focus on hand hygiene as their foundation.
Central line-associated blood stream infections are potentially life-threatening infections to which patients may be exposed after they have been admitted to the hospital. Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) are particularly vulnerable to these hospital-acquired infections.
HHC has made it a priority to reduce central line-associated infections among its critical care patients by implementing evidence-based "bundles" of best clinical practices in its ICUs to prevent central line infections.
People who are bedridden or immobilized in wheelchairs may suffer from pressure ulcers (bed sores), which may develop as a result of reduced blood flow to an area, and can cause cells to die, skin to break down, and a painful wound. If the conditions that lead to pressure ulcers are not corrected, muscles, tendons, and bones may ultimately be affected and patients may experience pain, infection, and disability.
Appropriate care, including the periodic turning of immobile nursing home residents, can reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers. Preventing and reducing pressure ulcers and subsequent infections is an HHC priority.
Click below to learn more about HHC efforts to prevent these common hospital-acquired infections. |
Preventing Infections
