Annual Hospital And Ambulatory Surgery Center Healthcare-Associated Infections Reports Released

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) has released the 2018 Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Hospital Report and the 2018 Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Report. These reports use data provided by the 33 hospitals and 29 ASCs licensed in the State to communicate important information about the progress made toward preventing infections acquired during patient care. For hospitals, data on central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections following certain heart, colon, abdominal hysterectomy, and knee surgical procedures are included. For ASCs, the report contains data on surgical site infections following certain breast, hernia, and open reduction of fracture surgical procedures.

The reports also provide data on hospital and ASC compliance with safety measures that help protect patients from healthcare-associated infections. These data include adherence to infection prevention practices during central line insertions in hospitals, the appropriate use of antimicrobials during surgical procedures in ASC, and influenza vaccination coverage among hospital and ASC healthcare personnel.

“Patients can get infections in healthcare facilities while being treated for something else. These infections can be devastating, cause significant illness, and can be deadly.” said DPHS Director Lisa Morris. “Data from most recent report show that New Hampshire hospitals are on par with national data and ambulatory surgery centers have fewer infections. We know healthcare facilities in New Hampshire share our commitment to protecting patients from infections and this report highlights various opportunities for improvement and is a useful tool for consumers.”

Hospitals

There were 196 HAI reported by hospitals in 2018, compared to 183 in 2017. The overall observed number of HAI in NH hospitals was 4% higher than predicted compared to data nationwide; however, this difference is not statistically significant and is similar to national data. There were also 27% fewer central line-associated bloodstream infections, 37% more catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and 7% more surgical site infections than predicted by nationwide HAI data.

Statewide hospital adherence to four infection prevention practices during central line insertions was 98.3%, a slight but insignificant decrease from 2017 (98.5%). The overall healthcare personnel influenza vaccination coverage in hospitals was 94.0%, which exceeds the nationwide goal of 90.0% set by Healthy People 2020 and is an increase from the prior year (93.3%).

Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Overall, statewide infection rates in ASCs were lower in comparison with national data. Only one surgical site infection was reported by ASCs for 2018, compared with three in 2017. The overall observed number of surgical site infections in New Hampshire ASCs was 84% less than predicted based on national data. Statewide, ASC adherence to timing guidelines to prevent surgical site infection with IV antibiotics (or intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis) was 98.5%, a slight increase from last year’s rate of 98.1%. The overall healthcare personnel influenza vaccination rate was 83.6%, which was slightly increased compared to the prior year, when the vaccination rate was 81.5%.