Columbia university researchers compiled a meta-analysis of nearly 36 papers on infection control in EDs. They found:
- Hand hygiene compliance ranged from 7.7 percent to 89.7 percent.
- Only 69.7 percent of urinary catheter insertions were justifiable/warranted.
- Catheter training and insertion practices varied greatly, and adherence to any given catheter policy was no greater than 58 percent at any hospital studied.
- ED equipment was consistently contaminated.
Researchers concluded more study of infection control in the ED is needed, as it is rarely studied, though it appears designing and adhering to effective infection control practices are not currently priorities in ED settings.
More articles on capacity management:
South Arkansas Hospital expands ED
U of Chicago to add beds after state board reverses July ruling
UPMC taking on VA backlog in Pennsylvania
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