How can you effectively reduce healthcare-associated infections?

1 Educate yourself and others

One of the most important steps to prevent HAIs is to educate yourself and others about the causes, risks, and prevention methods of HAIs. You can access reliable sources of information, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to learn about the latest guidelines, recommendations, and best practices for HAI prevention. You can also share this information with your colleagues, patients, and families, and encourage them to follow the infection control measures, such as hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, environmental cleaning, and isolation precautions.

2 Monitor and track HAIs

Another essential step to reduce HAIs is to monitor and track the occurrence, type, and severity of HAIs in your facility. You can use standardized definitions, criteria, and tools, such as the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), to collect and report data on HAIs. You can also use quality indicators, such as infection rates, mortality rates, length of stay, and readmission rates, to measure the impact of HAIs on patient outcomes and healthcare costs. By monitoring and tracking HAIs, you can identify the areas of improvement, prioritize the interventions, and evaluate the effectiveness of your actions.

4 Provide feedback to physicians

One of the most effective ways to improve the infection control practices and reduce HAIs is to provide feedback to physicians and other healthcare providers. You can use various methods, such as audits, reports, dashboards, and peer reviews, to communicate the performance, outcomes, and gaps of infection control practices. You can also use positive reinforcement, such as recognition, rewards, and incentives, to motivate and encourage the physicians to comply with the infection control standards and guidelines. You can also use constructive criticism, such as education, coaching, and counseling, to address the barriers and challenges that prevent the physicians from following the infection control measures.

5 Engage patients and families

Another important strategy to reduce HAIs is to engage patients and families in the infection control process. You can educate and empower them to understand the risks and benefits of the treatments and procedures that can cause HAIs, such as central line insertion, urinary catheterization, and surgical site infection. You can also inform and involve them in the infection control practices, such as hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, environmental cleaning, and isolation precautions. You can also solicit and respect their preferences, values, and goals, and encourage them to ask questions, voice concerns, and report any signs or symptoms of HAIs.

Reducing HAIs is a complex and challenging task that requires the collaboration and commitment of all the stakeholders involved in the healthcare delivery system. As a case manager, you can make a difference by applying evidence-based practices and providing feedback to physicians and other healthcare providers. By doing so, you can improve the quality and safety of care, enhance the patient experience, and reduce the healthcare costs.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?