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Hospital-Acquired Infections Decreased to Pre-Pandemic Levels, But Patient Safety Concerns Remain

November 21, 2023

Infection rates among patients in healthcare facilities improved following a major spike during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the patient safety watchdog group Leapfrog. But the group’s report also finds that metrics measuring patient safety and satisfaction have fallen significantly, likely because of hospital staffing shortages and other pandemic-era challenges.
 
Nationally, hospitals significantly reduced three of the main healthcare-acquired infections: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI); and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). The new data shows that over 85% of hospitals have improved performance on at least one of these three dangerous infections. 
 
  • 19% improved on all three infection measures
  • 66% improved on at least one infection measure
  • 16% have continued to worsen or made no improvement
 
At the same time, patient experience measures that are closely associated with patient safety issues declined nationally in all states for the second year in a row. The report shows the most significant declines came in the categories of “communication about medicines” and “responsiveness of hospital staff.” The Leapfrog Group states that these two categories correlate with preventable medical errors. 
 
For more information, please contact the Risk Management Division by email.
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