Infection Prevention

Infections obtained by patients while they are receiving care in U.S. hospitals result in tens of thousands of deaths annually. Common infections include catheter-related urinary tract infections, surgical-site infections, central line-related bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia. We have multiple programs in place to reduce the chance of acquiring these infections at AMH:

• Reducing or preventing infections acquired in hospitals (MRSA).
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Reduction project - All staff members are trained to keep the head of the bed up 30 degrees, minimize the use of sedations and daily weaning assessments.
• Surgical Care Improvement Project - We deliver appropriate antibiotics to patients immediately prior to procedures.
• Central intravenous catheter line'bundles' - These ensure that all staff place catheters into patients using rigid protocols, including full patient draping, appropriate skin-site preparation and appropriate hand hygiene.
• Evidence-based urinary catheter use - Allows staff to remove urinary catheters as soon as possible.
• Appropriate hand hygiene - A responsibility of all of us: staff, patients and families. We have placed alcohol hand gel dispensers at the entrance of each patient room to make it easier for staff (and families!) to wash both before and after every patient contact.