government
Hospital Compare website to include more infection data
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 20, 2012
A federal website that compares hospitals based on care quality will start providing patients with data on central line-associated bloodstream infections, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced on Feb. 7.
The infections are linked to about $700 million in added costs to the U.S. health system, CMS said. By listing infection rates online, CMS hopes to hold hospitals accountable and persuade facilities to lower their occurrences of preventable infections.
"Including central line-associated bloodstream infections information on Hospital Compare will save lives and cut costs," said acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner. "Adding this information to Hospital Compare extends the administration's commitment to make American health care safer."
In 2009, 41,000 bloodstream infections occurred in hospitals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The website is online (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/20/gvbf0220.htm.
