NH Hospital Infection Rates Dip Slightly

Submitted by the DHHS:

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) today released the 2011 Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) Report based on data from the 31 hospitals in the state.

The report, mandated by law, looks at the rates of specific HAIs: central line–associated bloodstream infections and surgical site infections following heart, colon, and knee surgeries. The report also provides  data on hospitals’ compliance with measures that are put in place to protect patients  from acquiring  infections  in  the hospital. These include  infection prevention practices during central line insertions, the appropriate use of antimicrobials during surgical procedures, and influenza vaccination rates among hospital staff.

Overall, statewide infection rates are showing improvement compared with national data. A total of 110 HAIs were reported for 2011, compared with 114 in 2010 and 134 in 2009. The overall observed number of HAIs in New Hampshire hospitals was 40% lower than expected based on national data; there were 42% fewer central line-associated bloodstream infections and 40% fewer surgical site infections.

Statewide  adherence  to four infection-prevention practices during central line insertions was 95.7% (similar to 2010). Antimicrobial prophylaxis was given accurately  more often  than  the  national average (over 97%). The overall staff influenza vaccination rate was 88.5%, which has been significantly improving since 2008 and close to the Healthy People 2020 goal of 90%.

“The numbers are showing improvement over last year so we are encouraged by that  and  hope  to see continued improvement in the future,” said Dr. José Montero,  Director  of Public  Health at DPHS. “I know hospitals work hard every day to deliver quality care to their patients, but systems and people are  not perfect. With the data we are gathering, we can all now see if and where the issues are and improve care delivery for the people of New Hampshire.”

The collection of the data is meant to be a tool for hospitals to track their progress and identify areas that require special attention, for DHHS to see where improvements can be made, and to help inform consumers.

To view the report, go to http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/hai/documents/hai2011.pdf.