Categories: Healthcare-associated infections
May 16th, 2011 6:47 am ET -
Don Wright, M.D., M.P.H.
Author – Don Wright, M.D., M.P.H.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
At any given time, one in 20 patients in the U.S. has a hospital-acquired infection – leading to the loss of tens of thousands of lives and costing the healthcare system billions of dollars each year. But this is changing, thanks to a new initiative geared towards improving patient safety, with new resources and tools to help medical communities lower hospital acquired infections and save lives.
One such tool is a new training video for medical students and professionals. In response to stakeholder requests for resources, HHS recently released an interactive video Partnering to Heal: Teaming Up Against Healthcare-Associated Infections to promote a culture of safety in healthcare settings [Partnering to Heal | HHS.gov]. This interactive, computer-based training allows students and clinicians to make decisions based on different characters’ life experiences in healthcare settings and situations and learn from their outcomes, both positive and negative. A facilitator’s guide accompanies the training for classroom or small group use.
Watch this short clip to see what it’s about:
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HHS offers the training at no cost to professional schools and healthcare facilities to train students and staff, as well as to the general public. Over time, we anticipate that Partnering to Heal and similar products will enable healthcare providers and patients to form stronger partnerships to prevent healthcare-associated infections and similar adverse events. Promoting proven, protective behaviors, such as hand washing, appropriate use of antibiotics, prompt removal of catheters and other medical devices, and flu vaccination can help to reduce preventable infections.
HHS’ emphasis on reducing healthcare-associated infections is a key component of broader national efforts. Partnering to Heal seeks safer and better care for all patients, which is consistent with the recently launched Partnership for Patients: Better Care, Lower Costs initiative [Partnership for Patients | HealthCare.gov]. This new national public-private partnership with hospitals, medical groups, consumer groups, and employers will help save lives by preventing millions of injuries and complications in patient care over the next three years.HHS has set a goal of decreasing preventable hospital-acquired conditions by 40 percent (compared with 2010 rates) by the end of 2013. Achieving this goal should result in approximately 1.8 million fewer injuries and illnesses to patients, with more than 60,000 lives saved over the next three years. The Partnership for Patients has the potential to save up to $35 billion in healthcare costs.
It is my hope that Partnering to Heal will play a role in reshaping social norms inside healthcare facilities, so that professionals support each other as equal members of a team and patients take an active role in their own care. If it succeeds, healthcare-associated infection prevention measures will become standard practice and Americans who require healthcare services will enjoy improved health outcomes.
To access the training “Partnering to Heal: Teaming Up Against Healthcare-Associated Infections,” visit http://www.hhs.gov/partneringtoheal.
FULL-TEXT:
CDC - Blogs - Safe Healthcare – New Online Training Video to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections
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