Drawing on the past to pave the way for the future

January 15, 2020 by CDC's Safe Healthcare Blog Dr. Denise Cardo

Denise Cardo, MD
Director CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion

A look back at past Decennial themes — 1970
Surveillance is essential, but how? Epidemic and endemic infection, emerging pathogens/AR
1980
Host susceptibility (endogenous risks), medical devices (exogenous risks), risk stratification, emerging pathogens/AR
1990
New vulnerable patients, non-acute care, emerging drug resistance, occupational health
2000
Prevention impact /cost-effectiveness, quality and prevention across the entire delivery system, networks, knowledge systems, and decision support
2010
Moving towards elimination of HAIs, infections outside hospitals, AR, engaging new science and partners to improve healthcare

In 1970, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hosted the International Conference on Nosocomial Infections. Later, CDC and partners decided that an international meeting every decade—the Decennial—would be a great way to help the field learn from the past and outline the future for greater impact to prevent infections and save lives. This historic conference has become the premier event to reflect on successes in infection prevention and inform priority areas that impact the future of healthcare quality, combating antibiotic resistance (AR), and patient safety.

The Sixth Decennial will take place in March 2020—the overall conference theme is addressing AR in healthcare as a global strategy. I have attended the Decennial since 1990, and each one has provided me with more insight and information on what is needed and can be achieved to improve patient safety through the elimination of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

The Sixth Decennial has three narrative themes integrated throughout the program. These themes outline proven strategies for continued progress in eliminating HAIs and combating AR in healthcare.

The themes are:

Data for Action: Improvements in use of surveillance, epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory data critical for closing knowledge gaps and implementing effective strategies for safe care.
Innovation: Needed advances in healthcare technology, practices, policies, and programs to meet the goal of eliminating HAIs and combating AR.
Addressing AMR Without Borders: Coordinated responses at the local, regional, and international levels to contain spread of HAIs and AR within and between healthcare facilities and the environment.

Over the decades we have seen much progress in protecting patients through our efforts to attain perfect healthcare with no infections. Register now and be a part of this momentous effort—together we can do even more. https://decennial2020.org/registration/

Dr. Denise Cardo is director of CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion.

January 15, 2020 by CDC's Safe Healthcare Blog