CDC Launches Online Healthcare-Acquired Infection Tracking Tool

The CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has launched a new online tracking tool designed to help nursing homes monitor healthcare-acquired infections, or HAIs. HAIs are a serious problem in the long-term care setting with staggering statistics¹:

• 1 to 3 million serious infections occur every year in long-term care
• As many as 380,000 residents die every year from the HAIs they contract
• Infections are one of the most common reasons that residents are admitted to hospitals 

By using the tracking tool, the CDC expects that nursing homes will be better able to identify problems, implement preventive measures and monitor their progress in halting infections. Right now, the tracking tool is available to record data on C. difficile, MRSA and other drug-resistant infections as well as urinary tract infections. In addition to capturing data, the online tool also offers access to forms, protocols, training information and additional resources for preventing HAIs. Facilities can begin using the program by enrolling here. 

The NHSN's website notes that submitted data will be used to help gauge progress toward meeting national HAI reduction goals. To learn more, click here.

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Reference
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network. Tracking Infections in Long-term Care Facilities. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/LTC/index.html. Accessed September 26, 2012.