Children's hospital-linked infections fall sharply

Children's hospital-linked infections fall sharply

AP 9/8/2014 4:40:26 AM

http://www.breitbart.com/system/wire/ap_4541723ed4894171b32c942105df74bc

CHICAGO (AP) — Hospitals are becoming safer for very sick children, according to a new study that found steep declines in dangerous infections sometimes transmitted through treatments in intensive care units.

The results from 174 U.S. hospitals in 39 states suggest increasing efforts to improve patient safety and reduce preventable health-care linked infections are working, the study authors said.

"The bottom line is it's safer to have a hospitalized child today than it was five years ago," said study author Dr. Stephen Patrick, a Vanderbilt University pediatrician and public health researcher.

The study involved infections spread through breathing machines and central lines — intravenous catheters used long-term to deliver medicine or fluids deep into the bloodstream. The devices can be contaminated with bacteria and other germs when doctors and nurses don't adequately wash their hands and through other lax hygiene practices.

The study found declines between 2007 and 2012. For central line infections, the rate dropped from just under five infections per 1,000 days of use to about one. For ventilator infections, it fell from just under two per 1,000 days to less than one.

Dr. Peter Pronovost, a Johns Hopkins Medicine patient safety expert, called the results "spectacular and commendable." He was not involved in the research.

The study was published Monday in Pediatrics.

Johns Hopkins

Sarah Brown O'Hagan is a trustee at the Johns Hopkins University, and an overseer & director for the International Rescue Committee.

Note: Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the International Rescue Committee, and the Committee for Economic Development.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Harold E. Ford Jr. was an overseer at the International Rescue Committee, a visiting professor at Vanderbilt University, and a 2008 Bilderberg conference participant (think tank).

E. Gordon Gee was the president of Vanderbilt University, and is a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development.

Catherine B. Reynolds was a trustee at Vanderbilt University, and is a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development.

Donna S. Morea was a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development, and the EVP for the CGI Group Inc.

CGI Group Inc. was the Obamacare contractor that developed Healthcare.gov web site.

Obamacare is Barack Obama’s signature policy initiative.

Barack Obama’s signature policy initiative is Obamacare, and married to Michelle Obama.

Michelle Obama is married to Barack Obama, and an advocate for the ONE Campaign.

ONE Campaign is a partner with the International Rescue Committee.

Sarah Brown O'Hagan is an overseer & director for the International Rescue Committee, and a trustee at the Johns Hopkins University.

Harold E. Ford Jr. was an overseer at the International Rescue Committee, a visiting professor at Vanderbilt University, and a 2008 Bilderberg conference participant (think tank).