Healthcare associated infections continue to be a leading cause of death

GHN News Editor - One
of the top ten leading causes of death in healthcare has to do with
infections within hospitals.  In fact there are nearly 2 million HAIs
associated with 100,000 deaths annually.

New

funding of $34 has been provided by the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality under Health and Human Services to improve the quality of
care for hospital patients and expand the fight against healthcare
infections in ambulatory care settings, hospitals, end-stage renal
disease facilities and long-term care facilities.

This
new funding will help improve the quality of care delivered to patients
and expand the fight against HAIs in hospitals, ambulatory care
settings, end-stage renal disease facilities and long-term care
facilities.

Hospitals
have been examining infection rates and looking at preventative
measures, but according to AHRQ, there is not enough information
currently available on infections originating in other health care
settings.

"We
know that infections can occur in any health care setting," said
Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D., AHRQ director. “With these new projects, we can
apply what has worked in reducing infections in hospitals to other
settings and ultimately help patients feel confident they are in safe

hands, regardless of where they receive care.”