August 6, 2007

Brought to you by Thomas Jefferson University’s Department of Health Policy

Volume II, Number 29

Hospital Cuts Deadly Infections

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projected this year that one in every
22 patients would get an infection while hospitalized – 1.7 million cases a year – and that 90,000
patients will die from the infection. Seven years ago it was projected that treating infected
hospitalized patients added nearly $5 billion to the nation’s healthcare tab. Today, officials believe
that the cost may be close to $20 billion. The Veterans Affairs Hospital in Pittsburgh recognized a
need to decrease their with methicillin-resistant-staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection rate. The
40 bed surgical unit began an experiment in 2001 to ensure rigorous screening of all patients
admitted to the hospital and compliance with hand hygiene which cut the hospital’s infection rate by
78%. The program also includes assigning a stethoscope to each room and discarding blood
pressure cuffs after use. While the infection control protocols cost $500,000 per year the hospital
saves nearly $900 million from a decrease in the number of hospital infections. These numbers
echo the findings of Dr. Richard Shannon, who was able to demonstrate to hospital administrators
that the average cost of infection incurred by the hospital is $27,000. According to Terri Wolf,
director of Pittsburgh VA Healthcare Systems, “People don’t believe it is in their institution, or/and if it
is, that it’s too big to do anything about, that you just have to accept it. But we have shown that you
can do something about it.” (New York Times, 7/27/07)
Health Leaders Identify Favorite Quality Strategies
A survey of healthcare experts agreed that the current healthcare system is not designed to
foster or achieve high quality. The survey, conducted by The Commonwealth Fund, revealed that
favored strategies for improvement include adoption of health information technology, public
reporting of quality measures, and financial incentives for improved care. Of the 214 opinion leaders
in health policy, health care delivery and finance, 75% favored reforming Medicare payment to
promote “medical homes” that coordinate patient care. The survey responses closely align with the
principles laid out by the Commonwealth Fund’s Commission on a High Performance Health
System. (AHA News Now and The Commonwealth Fund, 7/30/07)
New Website Helps Seniors Talk To Their Doctors
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has posted a new on-line guide to help seniors
communicate with their healthcare providers. The guide is the latest addition to the website
NIHSeniorHealth.gov , which provides information on health and aging. In his welcome message,
the director of the National Library of Medicine, Donald Lindberg, MD, emphasizes that “good
information is the best medicine for older adults.” The site offers advice on planning for doctors’
visits, communicating with the healthcare provider during the visit, and deciding on treatment options
after a diagnosis. Visit www.NIHSeniorHealth.gov for more information. (AHA News Now, 7/30/07)
The Joint Commission Names a New President
After 21 years of tenure, Dr. Dennis O’Leary is stepping down as President of the Joint
Commission. Mark Chassin, MD, MPP, MPH has been named and is committed to an agenda
focusing on quality and safety. “I am very excited about the opportunity to lead The Joint
Commission because of my life-long passion for quality improvement and patient safety,” says Dr.
Chassin. “The Joint Commission is transforming health care through its accreditation process and
other programs to help health care organizations provide safe, high quality care for all Americans. I
look forward to working with Dennis O’Leary to ensure a smooth transition. He has provided
outstanding leadership to The Joint Commission for so many years.” Dr. Chassin’s extensive
background will prove beneficial when he is officially appointed on January 1, 2008. (The Joint
Commission, 8/1/07)

Any questions regarding this newsletter can be directed

to Valerie Pracilio at valerie.pracilio@jefferson.edu or
Bettina Berman bettina.berman@jefferson.edu.