U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced the first health care "success story" reports demonstrating what the Secretary characterizes as "innovative programs and initiatives that can serve as models for a reformed American health care system." According to a press release on the HHS website, this first report inaugurating a series of such reports is focused on the achievements of the Michigan Keystone ICU Project. This is a joint partnership between the Michigan Health & Hospital Association and Johns Hopkins University. Sebelius says the Michigan Keystone ICU Project assisted in the dramatic reduction of health care associated infections in Michigan, saving over 1,500 lives and $200 million.

"We know there are tremendous examples of efficient, high-quality health care in America today. Our challenge is spreading these good examples across the country," said Secretary Sebelius in the press release. "Our reports will showcase success stories like the Michigan Keystone ICU Project and highlight how health reform can improve the quality of care for all Americans."

Health care-associated infections and problems in declining patient safety measures have been a major concern of the HHS and the medical industry. Sebelius says that these infections make up part of the medical errors that contribute to the deaths of nearly 100,000 patients in America each year. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has targeted this problem through grants for states to fight the infections.
The Michigan Keystone ICU Project enabled safe patient care in over 100 ICUs in Michigan, highlighting catheter-related bloodstream infections to which ICU patients are susceptible. The project helped ensure clinicians used a simple checklist when inserting catheters into ICU patients. Adherence to the checklist led to a 66 percent reduction in catheter infections in Michigan facilities. The project was funded by a grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and saved about $200 for each dollar invested.

"Americans don't expect to get additional infections when they go into the hospital," said Sebelius in the release. "Stopping health care associated infections and improving the quality of care is one of our top priorities." Secretary Sebelius is asking hospitals across America to commit to reduce Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections in Intensive Care Units by 75 percent over the next three years by using the same successful checklist as in the Michigan project.

Reduced infections are also part of the administration's health care reform goals. "When we enact health reform, we can improve quality, help control costs and ensure success stories like the Michigan Keystone ICU Project become the rule, not the exception," Sebelius said.

Source: HHS.

Link: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/07/20090713a.html

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