From 2010 to 2013, an estimated 1.3 million fewer patients were harmed and 50,000 fewer patients died from hospital acquired conditions, according to a new report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
The decrease, which represents a savings of approximately $12 billion over the three-year period, comes largely from sizeable reductions in hospital acquired conditions in the following areas:
- central line-associated bloodstream infections (down 49%)
- catheter-associated urinary tract infections (28%)
- pressure ulcers (20%)
- surgical site infections (19%)
- adverse drug events (19%)
- post-op venous thromboembolisms (18%)
Though the reasons for this progress are not fully understood, the report said that likely contributing factors are pay-for-performance financial incentives by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other payers, as well as quality reporting programs.
View report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
