Secretary Sebelius discussed two reports from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which found that patient safety measures have worsened and that 40 percent of Americans do not receive recommended care.
According to the release, patient safety measures have worsened by nearly 1 percent each year for the past six years. In addition, central line associated blood stream infections strike hundreds of thousands of patients each year and drive the cost of healthcare up by $20 billion annually.
The reports also indicated that disparities remain in healthcare. At least 60 percent of quality measures have not improved for minorities compared to Caucasians in the past six years, according to the release.
Secretary Sebelius challenged hospitals to reduce central line associated blood stream infections in ICUs by 75 percent over the next three years. Of the $50 million available, HHS will make $40 million available through competitive grants to eligible states to create or expand state-based HAI prevention and surveillance efforts and strengthen the public health workforce trained to prevent HAIs. Another $10 million in grants to states will go to improving the process and increase the frequency of inspections for ambulatory surgical centers.
Read the HHS release about the Secretary’s challenge to reduce healthcare-associated infections.
