Consumer Reports conducted a nationwide study on the amount of central-blood line infections at hospitals and most hospitals in the Philadelphia area were graded above average. Pennsylvania is one of only 23 states that have a policy for all hospitals in the state to mandatory report infections.
Hundreds of thousands people die each year in hospitals due to infection with the most common being a central line infection. Central lines are catheters that are placed in a major vein to quickly deliver medication or fluids to a patient. One third of patients who die in hospitals from infections are from central line infections that occur in intensive care units.
In the Philadelphia area, St. Christopher's and Hahnemann University Hospital scored better than average along with A-I DuPont in Delaware. Surprisingly Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was graded well below average and officials from the hospital have acknowledged the problem and have implemented a system that is already producing better results.
Research has shown that central line infections are relatively easy to avoid with some very simple steps and good hygiene practices. Two thirds of infections can be prevented if hospital staff wash their hands before and after touching a patient or a catheter, disinfect the patient's skin before applying the catheter and wearing protective gear such as gloves, masks, caps, and gowns when caring for a central line patient.
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Consumer Reports exclusive on hospital infections
