Definitions
CLABSI:
A central venous catheter, also known as a central line, is a tube that doctors place in a large vein in the neck, chest, groin, or arm to give fluids, blood, or medications. These long, flexible catheters empty out in or near the heart, allowing the catheter to deliver the needed treatment within seconds. You may be familiar with standard intravenous lines (IVs). Central lines are much different from standard IVs that are used to give medicine into a vein near the skin’s surface, usually for short periods of time. A central venous catheter can remain in place for weeks or months, and some patients receive treatment through the line several times a day. Central venous catheters are important for treating many conditions, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). If the central line is not handled with proper infection prevention practices, germs can be introduced into the bloodstream causing an infection. These infections are called Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections or CLABSIs.
Healthcare-associated infections, or HAIs, are infections that people get while they're getting treatment for another condition in a healthcare setting. HAIs can occur in all settings of care, including acute care hospitals, long term acute care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, surgical centers, cancer hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. Many of these infections can be prevented through the use of proper procedures and precautions.
Infections are reported using a standardized infection ratio (SIR). The SIR compares the actual number of infections at a hospital to a national benchmark based on data reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). Lower numbers are better.
CAUTI:
A urinary catheter is a drainage tube inserted into a patient's bladder through the urethra and left in place to collect urine. When not put in correctly, kept clean, or when left in place for long periods of time, catheters can become an easy way for germs to enter the body and cause serious infections in the urinary tract. These infections are called Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections or CAUTIs. They may be preventable when healthcare providers use infection control steps recommended by the CDC.
Healthcare-associated infections, or HAIs, are infections that people get while they're getting treatment for another condition in a healthcare setting. HAIs can occur in all settings of care, including acute care hospitals, long term acute care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, surgical centers, cancer hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. Many of these infections can be prevented through the use of proper procedures and precautions.
Infections are reported using a standardized infection ratio (SIR). The SIR compares the actual number of infections at a hospital to a national benchmark based on data reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). Lower numbers are better.
SSI:
A surgical operative procedure is one that is performed on a patient in an operating room where a surgeon makes at least one incision through the skin or mucous membrane to give important medical treatment. When not conducted in a sterile environment and following sterile procedures, a surgical site can become an easy way for germs to enter the body and cause serious infections in a patient, which can affect the skin, tissues under the skin, organs, or implanted material. These infections are called Surgical Site Infections or SSIs. SSIs are mostly preventable when healthcare providers use infection control steps recommended by the CDC.
Healthcare-associated infections, or HAIs, are infections that people get while they're getting treatment for another condition in a healthcare setting. HAIs can occur in all settings of care, including acute care hospitals, long term acute care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, surgical centers, cancer hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. Many of these infections can be prevented through the use of proper procedures and precautions.
Infections are reported using a standardized infection ratio (SIR). The SIR compares the actual number of infections at a hospital to a national benchmark based on data reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). Lower numbers are better.
Hand Hygiene:
Hand Hygiene means cleaning your hands by using either handwashing (washing hands with soap and water), antiseptic hand wash, antiseptic hand rub (i.e. alcohol-based hand sanitizer including foam or gel), or surgical hand antisepsis.
Miller Children's & Women's Hospital collects hand hygiene compliance data on hand hygiene opportunities in each patient care unit every month by direct observation. The hospital also uses hand hygiene coaches and compliance observers to provide individuals who touch patients or who touch items that will be used by patients with feedback on both when they are and are not compliant with performing hand hygiene.
Press Ganey Survey:
The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey is a patient experience of care survey. It is administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and collects standardized information about patients’ perceptions of their care experiences. At Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Press Ganey conducts the Child CAHPS survey for pediatric patients and HCAHPS for our BirthCare Center. This survey uses a scale with responses: “always,” “usually,” “sometimes,” and “never.” The percentage of responses answered “always” is how the percentile is calculated.