During Infection Prevention Week, we want to highlight some wonderful work taking place at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and the Partnership for Healthcare Excellence. IHI engages hospitals and the Partnership engages consumers, both with a shared goal of preventing infections.
IHI launched its “5 Million Lives” Campaign in December of 2006 to prevent 5 million instances of medical harm over a 2-year period. The campaign includes a list of 12 changes in medical care that hospitals can adopt to improve care, save lives, and reduce patient harm. One example of this is in the area of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) for which IHI developed a “bundle” (group of interventions) to lead to reductions in rates. Owensboro Medical Health System in Kentucky reduced the rate of VAP by 50% over an 18-month period by utilizing the VAP bundle. IHI has done amazing work with hospitals around the world and has played a leading role in the health care quality movement.
The Partnership for Healthcare Excellence educates consumers in Massachusetts about how they can be partners in their care with their providers. The Partnership has created educational materials aimed at involving consumer in preventing infections. During Infection Prevention Week, the Partnership held events in Worcester and New Bedford to raise awareness about infections and how they can be prevented. They are educating the public about both hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections. We commend their outreach to consumers and their recognition that consumers can have an important voice in their care and the care of their loved ones.
Kuong Ly
