MaineMaine health care advocates held a press conference to make sure health reform is implemented properly, including improving the quality and safety of health care.
A new law goes into effect this week requiring that all Maine hospitals screen high-risk patients for a drug-resistant bacterial infection called MRSA-Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The law requires hospitals to screen for MRSA but does not dictate further action, such as isolation, precaution, and treatment if a patient is diagnosed.
This report contains Maine hospital specific rates on Central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates for
intensive care unit (ICU) patients and neonatal (ICU) patients.) It also has process measures on CLABSI and venilator associated pneumonia “prevention bundles.”
The spread of MRSA, a potentially lethal infection that modern medicine can’t seem to beat. But are Maine’s hospitals doing all they can to fight the problem?
Money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will pay $1 million for infection control in ambulatory surgical centers in Maine, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan, Arkansas, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming and Kansas.
Most Maine hospitals are taking part in a standardized hand-washing and infection reporting system that soon will begin. The idea is to enable the hospitals to compare their records with one another and share knowledge of what works best.
Back on July 8th, 2004, my father went into the hospital for what his surgeon said would be an easy valve replacement with the expectation he would be out of the hospital within 7-10 days. My father was 79 and in relatively good shape and a well built man.
The Safe Patient Project is a Consumers Union campaign focused on eliminating medical harm, improving FDA oversight of prescription drugs and promoting disclosure laws that give information to consumers about health care safety and quality.