Sepsis Study Pits EHR vs. Claims Data

This article first appeared October 2, 2017 on HealthLeaders Media. By Tinker Ready A study of sepsis cases using EHR rather than claims data finds little change in either incidence of infection or mortality over a four-year period. Is the incidence of sepsis stable or is it increasing? Awareness campaigns and clinical education programs would … Continued

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How Health Systems Can Battle the Rise of Superbugs

By placing an emphasis on early screening as well as new innovations in remote monitoring supported by predictive algorithms to detect infections earlier, health systems can minimize risk to other patients in the hospital. By Peter Ziese, PhD, MD For years, the U.S. has feared the arrival of superbugs, otherwise known as strains of bacteria … Continued

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Q&A: CDC Town Hall Addresses Preventing Legionella Contamination

In early June, CMS issued a new memo to surveyors on the importance of reducing cases of Legionella infections. Not long after, the CDC issued a Vital Signs report underlining the bacterium’s risk to patients. The following is an edited Q&A from the CDC Vital Signs Town Hall, “Health Care-Associated Legionnaires’ Disease: Protect Patients With Prevention and Early Recognition.”

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The New War on Sepsis

The sepsis program in the St. Joseph Hoang network seems to be working. The death rate for all of its hospitals from 2015-2016 has dropped from 15 percent to 12 percent for severe sepsis/shock, and from 12 percent to 9 percent for all sepsis cases.

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CDC Updates SSI Guidelines for the First Time in 18 Years

Between 2006 and 2009, roughly 1.9% of surgical procedures in the United States resulted in SSI complications; however, it’s likely that number is much higher since about 50% of SSIs don’t become evident until after discharge. Estimated costs of SSIs range from $10,443 to $25,546 per infection, although it can cost more than $90,000 to treat an SSI involving a prosthetic joint implant or an antimicrobial-resistant organism.

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Keeping Fungi at Bay

Some strains of Candida auris (C. auris) fungusre resistant to all three classes of antifungal drugs. Its spores are extremely durable and can survive on skin and surfaces (such as doorknobs and bedrails) for weeks. Fungal infection can cause a gamut of effects, from mild (runny nose) to severe (death).

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