Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Reducing Hospital-Acquired Infections: Approaching Zero Defects!

Reduction of hospital-acquired infections is a major focus of the board of directors and senior leadership of Sinai Health System. Top decile performance nationally and in Illinois is the Board's expectation. To achieve these levels of performance, members of senior leadership, medical staff, nursing, and infection control have engaged themselves in several integrated reduction initiatives. These include implementation of nationally recognized evidence-based infection reduction strategies, regular review of data, leadership for improvement, participation in learning collaboratives, and the creation of zero defect teams. As a result of these efforts, Mount Sinai Hospital has significantly reduced the rate of hospital-acquired infections in the adult intensive care units.

This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)