In 2017, California hospitals made the most progress in reducing healthcare-associated infections since reporting started in 2009, and many hospitals are on track to reach 2020 infection reduction goals, according to a California Department of Public Health report cited by The Fresno Bee.
Six things to know:
1. Acute care hospitals reported 2,602 fewer infections last year compared to 2016. Reportable infections statewide are now lower or "better" than 2015 national baselines, the report found.
2. The most progress was seen in reducing Clostridium difficile infections, which have decreased 26 percent since 2015.
3. Public health officials targeted 12 California hospitals for having several years of high central line-associated bloodstream infection rates. Of the 12 hospitals, 10 improved in 2017 and now meet national baseline standards. Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno and Los Angeles Olympia Medical Center continued to have a higher CLABSI incidence than national infection baselines last year.
4. Sixteen California hospitals have achieved 2020 goals for reducing all types of infections, and 40 hospitals (12 percent of 335 hospitals in the state) are on track to reach 2020 goals for all HAIs.
5. Of 39 hospitals targeted by the state to reduce C. diff infections, seven reported worse results in 2017; five hospitals were worse for three infections; 10 hospitals were worse for two infections.
6. California hospital leaders shared several initiatives on how their facility is reducing HAIs, such as using a physician-led team to review every potential infection, working with the state public health department and placing banners on each floor to remind staff and visitors of isolation rules, such as putting on gowns and gloves and hand washing.