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HaysMed announced it has recently earned a zero-percent rating for central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) by Beckers Hospital Review, making it only one of five hospitals in Kansas that have achieved this rating.
“HaysMed is one of only five hospitals in the state and 339 in the country to earn this recognition,” Joben Rieth, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services, said. “We accomplished this because we work as a team, from the bedside staff to our housekeepers. It comes down to vigilance, teamwork and doing what is right for the safety of our patients.”
Rieth explained that CLABSI is a serious infection that occurs when germs enter the bloodstream through a central line, such as a catheter placed in a large vein.
“Since infection can lead to longer hospital stays and even life-threatening situations, we do all we can to protect our patients from harm during their stay with us,” said Rieth.
Justin Helberg, MD, Medical Director of the HaysMed hospitalist group, said the hospital’s zero-percent rating is a direct result of the outstanding efforts by the vascular-access team and bedside nurses.
Dr. Helberg explained that the vascular-access team has introduced several procedures aimed at reducing clinical variability and strengthening sterile techniques to improve patient care.
“In addition, bedside nurses monitor the patient’s access sites and focus on hygiene to ensure possible concerns are addressed early and appropriately,” Dr. Helberg said. “This focus on infectious prevention has helped us keep our patients safe and our team members safe, while improving the quality of care we provide at HaysMed.”
Updated on April 30, this data includes infection performance metrics from five categories tracked through the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network, according to a Becker’s news release.
The measures indicate how often patients in acute-care hospitals develop infections during their stay compared to similar facilities. They apply to all inpatient cases, including adults, children, and neonatal patients, regardless of whether they are covered by Medicare or another insurance provider.
“Achieving a zero-percent CLABSI rate is not just a statistic, it’s a reflection of our commitment to excellence in care. At HaysMed, every process, every precaution, and every person play a role in protecting our patients,” said Regina Borthwick, HaysMed Patient Quality Services Executive Director. “We are incredibly proud to be among the few hospitals in Kansas and the nation to reach this milestone.”
