Nosocomial Infections
Michael Chambers (mchamber@postoffice.ptd.net)
Mon, 18 Mar 1996 21:25:06 -0800
Doug,
The following is from the CDC @ ftp://ftp.cdc.gov/...ases/brochures/hip.txt
The Hospital Infections Program (HIP) of the National Center for Infectious
Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is the focus for
information, surveillance, investigation, prevention, and control of
nosocomial infections for the Public Health Service, state and local health
departments, hospitals, and professional organizations in the United States
and around the world.
Nosocomial infections affect approximately 2million patients annually in
acute care facilities in the United States ata direct annual patient care
cost of approximately $3.5 billion.
Studies indicate that one-third of nosocomial infections can be prevented by
well-organized infection control programs, yet only 6%-9% are actually
prevented. Addressing the discrepancy between what can be prevented and what
is being prevented is a major focus for HIP, the Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, professional organizations, and
hospital infection control personnel in the 1990s.
Who is responsable for monitoring the hospitals, is there no goverment agency to insure
the third of the infection that can be provented are.
How does a parent find out what a hospital's rate of nosocomial infection is?
This information would have a great effect on desisions about where elective procedures
should be done.