Milton Hospital Reduces Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections

Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) are an often preventable healthcare- associated infection (HAI) common in hospitals across the country.  These infections can be a serious complication for patients, can increase the time they are hospitalized and add to the cost of care. On occasion, antibiotic treatment of CAUTIs can also pose potential health risks for the patient.

Winchester Hospital Protecting Patients' Safety
Through Infection Prevention Employee Competency

An estimated 85 percent of hospital-acquired infections are due to organisms carried on the hands of personnel. As a result, Winchester Hospital has launched a hospital-wide hand hygiene competency for all employees in an effort to save patients from avoidable harm.

 

Co-winners of the Betsy Lehman Patient Safety Award - A Focus on Infection Prevention

Two hospitals within the UMass Memorial Health Care system each received the 2009 Betsy Lehman Patient Safety Recognition Award from the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction for their work to reduce infections.UMass Memorial Medical Center and Marlborough Hospital were this year's co-winners.

 

Cooley Dickinson Hospital's Positive Culture Has Led to Pressure Ulcer Improvements

In the past eight quarters since the end of 2007, Cooley Dickinson Hospital - a 140-bed facility in Northampton, Massachusetts - has had three quarters with zero incidents of pressure ulcers (bed sores). 
Read the Cooley Dickinson story »

Beverly Hospital Implements Nurse-Led Program to Reduce Patient Falls

Beverly Hospital in Massachusetts has significantly reduced the rate of patient falls on its units by implementing a comprehensive fall prevention program, WCVB Boston reports.

Boston Medical Center Nurses Teach Pressure Ulcer Prevention

Three nurses at Boston Medical Center are taking a proactive rather than reactive approach to skin care.  The skin team RNs - two full time and one part time - constantly emphasize the importance of assessing patients' skin from head to toe.

Making Strides at Jordan Hospital to Reduce Falls

Jordan Hospital in Plymouth, Mass., has undertaken an innovative strategy to deal with patient falls, which is a common problem that occurs just about everywhere that care is provided -- from hospitals to homes.

Public Focus on Patient Safety

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued two hospital-specific reports on April 14, 2010 that track healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) and serious reportable events (SREs).