We've written repeatedly about quality and safety, checklists, infection control, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement—and about pockets of resistance to achievable change that will improve patient care (and usually save money). Today's Washington Post has a story by and about an infectious disease consultant, Dr. Manoj Jain, whose skepticism evolved into conviction. In two years, his hospital cut ICU infection rates in half and reduced costs by 21 percent per ICU discharge. Good for the health care system. Definitely good for the patients. And more satisfying for the health care team.

 
The whole column is a quick good read, but here's a good excerpt:

An interesting footnote: There were some resisters at our hospital—often, unsurprisingly, the traditionally autonomous physicians. One afternoon in our infection-control meeting, an ICU nurse complained about a surgeon who refused to fully drape and wear a mask when placing a central line. He argued there was "no need." The nurse asked me what she should do.

With the firmness of a convert, I told the nurse: "Be a Rosa Parks. If it is not an emergency, and the surgeon refuses to follow the protocol, do not assist the surgeon in placing the line. I will back you up."

Thereafter, the surgeon complied. The hospital's culture of patient safety and quality had changed. And our efforts continue.

 

 

 

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that there are approximately 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths each year associated with hospital acquired infections—a rate of about 270 people per day.