Reduce HAIs and Improve Patient Outcomes Through Technology

According to the CDC, one-to-three million healthcare-associated infections (HAI) occur every year within U.S.  nursing homes. Reports also show that antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed medication in facilities, with 6–10% of residents receiving antibiotics on any given day. However, 40–75% of those prescribed antibiotics may be unnecessary or inappropriate – causing risk of serious complications, development of serious gastrointestinal infections (i.e., Clostridium difficile), increased adverse drug events, growth of multi drug resistant organisms, and/or even death. HAIs also carry a huge financial burden, costing the healthcare industry upwards of $2 billion annually for hospitalizations.

Although daily surveillance and tracking of infections and antibiotic use in nursing facilities has traditionally been an arduous and painstakingly timely process, it remains an integral component to improving outcomes and avoiding hospitalizations for residents presenting HAI symptoms. This session will explore how technology can help automate the tracking and reporting of antibiotic use facility-wide, as well as identify the early warning signs of infections and highlight the need for possible testing to determine the appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. By implementing measures for optimal resident outcomes quickly, unnecessary trips to the hospital are avoided and overall better patient care is provided. We will also discuss how operators can leverage live-data analytics to meet state and federal requirements, prepare for regulatory reporting and onsite surveys, conduct infection surveillance, and improve HAI reporting percentages.

Learning Objectives

• Learn how to leverage technology and data analytics to strengthen Infection Prevention and Control efforts
• Understand strategies for early identification of HAIs, proactive interventions, and avoiding HAI-related hospitalizations
• Illustrate how live data analytics can be utilized to help reduce regulatory burden and improve HAI reporting percentages

Speaker

• Cheryl Scalzo, RN, Clinical Account Specialist, Real Time Medical Systems

This session is presented at the 2023 PHCA Annual Convention & Tradeshow.