CMS Cracking Down on Infection Documentation

Also, 72% said that HAI elimination measures were “moderately” integrated into the tasks of clinicians and other staff; 9% felt that the measures were “very well integrated,” and 17% said the measures were “only indirectly integrated.”

Asked about the biggest challenge for their organization regarding HAI prevention, 36% listed “measuring compliance with infection prevention practices, such as hand hygiene,” and 30% chose “timely and efficient tracking of all or targeted HAIs across the hospital population.”

Among specific HAI prevention interventions, removal of unnecessary indwelling urinary catheters was endorsed by 55% of respondents as being the most challenging in their organizations; smaller proportions listed avoidance of central-line-associated infections (22%), antimicrobial prophylaxis for preventing surgical site infections (16%), and interventions for preventing ventilator-associated infections (6%).

Dr. Varga, who also cochairs the National Quality Forum Steering Committee on Healthcare-Acquired Infections, urged hospital-based physicians to become active participants in the development of protocols for preventing health care-acquired conditions.

“Be active in the design and engineering of the protocols, of the process, then be an active participant in the feedback loop that evaluates whether that process is working or not,” he advised.