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GAO Studies Infection Control Efforts


October 6, 2008

The Government Accountability Office has published a report examining efforts of states and hospitals to reduce infections through various initiatives, including the use of information technology.

GAO, an investigative arm of Congress, reviewed mandated hospital-acquired infection public reporting programs in 23 states. It also conducted site visits at two hospitals and sent surveys to 15 other hospitals, 12 of which responded.

The report examines I.T. being used at Evanston (Ill.) Northwestern Healthcare (now NorthShore University HealthSystem) and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Both hospitals, for instance, highlight admitted patients in their electronic health records systems who have not yet been tested for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a serious staph infection.

In addition, NorthShore analyzes data from the EHR to measure the length of time it takes staff in various units to perform the test. And UPMC flags patients in its EHR who have previously tested positive for MRSA so they can be immediately placed on contact precautions at subsequent admissions.

Full text of the GAO report, "An Overview of State Reporting Programs and Individual Hospital Initiatives to Reduce Certain Infections," is available at gao.gov.

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