Healthcare Associated Infections and Antibiotic Stewardship Educational Event
On June 8th, the Foundation will be hosting the third annual Patient Safety Educational Event. This year, based on the input from our Patient Safety and Quality Committee, we have identified the informational need surrounding Healthcare Associated Infections, as well as Antibiotic Stewardship programs.
Currently Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) remain one of the biggest challenges in healthcare today and are a global crisis, exacting a significant toll on human life. They are among the leading causes of death in the United States, accounting for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths in 2002.
In hospitals, they are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. 1 On the global scale, according to the World Health Organization, at any given time 1.4 million people worldwide are estimated to be suffering from an infection acquired in a health facility.
The incidence of resistance in the infective organisms is also on the rise. Hospital stays for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection have more than tripled since 2000 and have increased nearly ten-fold since 1995.
In addition to the substantial human suffering exacted by HAIs, the financial burden attributable to these infections is staggering. It is estimated that HAIs incur an estimated $28 to $33 billion in excess healthcare costs each year. 2
Our speakers at the event will include Dr. Ed Septimus, Medical Director Infection Prevention and Epidemiology at HCA Healthcare System; and Jeffrey Taylor, MPH Manager, Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Texas Branch of the Texas Department of State Health Services. Dr. Septimus will be speaking on “Antibiotic Stewardship: An Urgent Patient Safety Imperative” and Mr. Taylor will discuss “Mandatory Reporting of Healthcare Associated Infections and Preventable Adverse Events”.
In addition, we are excited to announce that Kimberly-Clark will be joining the conference with their HAI Educational Tour Bus. (See below) This Educational Tour Bus is available for on-site hospital visits and is a mobile classroom featuring a wealth of CE training and information pertaining to HAIs.
Please join us for an opportunity to learn about new reporting guidelines for healthcare associated infections as well as antibiotic stewardship programs. Online Registration is available at http://dfwhcfoundationjune8th.eventbrite.com.
1 Klevens RM, Edwards J, Richards C, Horan T, Gaynes R, Pollock D, Cardo D. Estimating Health Care-Associated Infections and Deaths in U.S. Hospitals, 2002. Public Health Reports 2007; 122:160-166.
2 Scott Rd. The Direct Medical Costs of Healthcare-Associated Infections in U.S. Hospitals and the Benefits of Prevention, 2009. Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 2009.