Cellulitis is a common infection that affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues and results in significant morbidity and associated healthcare costs. In fact, more than $3.7 billion were spent on 240,000 inpatient admissions for cellulitis in the United States in 2004 (Solucient, 2006). In addition to these costs, more than 14.5 million individuals were treated in offices, hospital outpatient clinics, and emergency departments for skin infections in 2005 (Hersh, Chambers, Maselli, & Gonzales, 2008).

On May 7, the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported on the effects of federal efforts to decrease the rates of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) and readmissions. These efforts, implemented through a system of Hospital Engagement Networks (HENs), have been supported with funding from the Affordable Care Act (ACA), starting with grants to the HENs in October 2011.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced that new preliminary data show an overall nine percent decrease in hospital acquired conditions nationally during 2011 and 2012. National reductions in adverse drug events, falls, infections, and other forms of hospital-induced harm are estimated to have prevented nearly 15,000 deaths in hospitals, avoided 560,000 patient injuries, and approximately $4 billion in health spending over the same period.