CDC, dialysis organizations partner to reduce bloodstream infections

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Each year in the U.S., roughly 37,000 people on dialysis treatment contract potentially deadly bloodstream infections — but a new partnership between the CDC and a coalition of kidney and dialysis organization aims to reduce the number.

The new initiative, the Making Dialysis Safer for Patients Coalition, has a goal to expand the use of CDC recommendations and tools available to improve dialysis patient safety.

The CDC believes the number of infections can be cut in half if dialysis facilities follow the CDC's Core Interventions for Dialysis Bloodstream Infection Prevention. Through the coalition, the CDC will provide checklists, audit tools, instructional videos and training to participating members.

Member institutions committed to educating staff, raising patient and worker awareness of the problem and helping implement CDC recommendations. Founding members are:

"Dialysis patients are particularly vulnerable to infections. We want to get lifesaving tools into the right hands to make a real impact on patients' lives," said Priti Patel, MD, medical director of the Making Dialysis Safer for Patients Coalition. "These dialysis leaders are committed to changing the way care is delivered in U.S. dialysis facilities."

Click here for more information on joining the coalition.

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