News, Analysis, Trends, Management Innovations for
Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups

Hosted by Robert Michel

News, Analysis, Trends, Management Innovations for
Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups

Hosted by Robert Michel
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CDC Improvement Project Reports Big Drop in the Number of Hospital-Acquired Infections

Significant Number of Hospitals Participated in Effort to Improved Patient Outcomes

Long-awaited data demonstrates that hospitals can significantly reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAI). A newly-released report validates efforts by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve patient outcomes and increase transparency in provider performance, while containing the cost of care. Clinical laboratory testing played a role in helping participating hospitals reduce the number of HAIs.

This news is contained in a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Titled “The First State-Specific HAI Summary Data Report,” it assesses the progress achieved in a program where dozens of hospitals reported a significant decrease in the number of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) in 2009. (more…)

Laboratory Test and New Sepsis Alert System at Methodist North Hospital Saves Lives, Reduces Costs

New diagnostic protocols that use lactic acid test cut deaths from sepsis

Laboratory testing plays a key role in a new diagnostic protocol for sepsis that is saving lives at hospitals operated by Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Tennessee. Since implementation of this new sepsis protocol, patient outcomes have improved significantly.

Leadership at Methodist North Hospital (MNH) decided to adopt the protocol after reading a study by Emanuel Rivers, M.D., Ph.D., of Henry Ford Medical Center, published in the New England Journal of Medicine,  that establishes criteria for identifying these patients.

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