New Laws Require Hospitals to Report Hospital Associated Infections

November 7th , 2007
       Legislators of many states have passed laws that require hospitals to report Hospital Associated Infections (HAIs). While the specifics of the each state's laws on reporting vary, this is clearly is supportive of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid's (CMS's) movement towards stricter rules for reimbursement through Hospital Quality Initiatives. The current initiatives are directed towards common problems such as catheter-related infections and bed sores, but does not yet address issues such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and blood culture contamination. Future initiatives are expected to encompass more and more causes of Hospital Associated Infections. Protocols and procedures proven to prevent HAIs are likely to become mandatory for reimbursement. Given that hospitals rely upon Medicare and Medicaid reimbursment, they are certain to follow CMS's lead on any Hospital Quality Initiatives. 

Biomerieux Creates Initiative to Combat Blood Culture Contamination


May 26th, 2007 - Durham, NC 
      Major in vitro diagnostics manufacturer Biomerieux, has announced its rollout of the WorkSafeTM Initiative. Aimed at preventing blood culture contamination, the WorkSafeTM blood culture kit provides the equipment needed to perform the standard techniques of collection for blood culture samples safely. The initiative also includes training materials useful for phlebotomist, nurses, and other blood collectors. "This is very exciting," remarked Ben Stone, president of the Stone Medical Corporation. "It's good to see a major player in the blood culture products market taking an active interest in the longstanding problem of blood culture contamination." WorksafeTM joins the Blood Culture Procedural Tray, a product offered by Becton Dickinson that provides the equipment needed to perform the standard blood culture collection method consistently. The Stone Medical Corporation plans to enter the market in 2009 with the Clean CollectTM Blood Collection System, a technology that provides a serious technical upgrade to the standard blood collection method. Directors at the Stone Medical Corporation expect that Clean CollectTM will set an entirely new standard for the collection of blood culture samples.

Clinical Research Updates the Costs of Blood Culture Contamination


September 20th, 2006 - Denver, Colorado
     The newest study of the costs associated with blood culture contamination places the average cost per contaminant at $27,652 per incident. This is significant, given that hospitals may have hundreds of contaminants each year. At this rate, the annual costs for many hospitals is several million dollars. Besides the monetary costs, blood culture contamination comes with a significant human cost. Thousands die each year and many more suffer from hospital associated infections. Contaminated blood cultures result in the administration of intravenous antibiotics and is a major contributor to the worldwide problem of hospital associated infections. Previous estimates placed the cost at about $7,700 per contaminant with hospitals experiencing a net loss of about half that. The new estimate suggests a much more significant financial burden caused by the problem. With future Hospital Quality Initiatives from Medicare, the net losses for hospitals could be staggering. 

     The full clinical study paper, "Analysis of strategies to improve cost effectiveness of blood cultures" is published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine Oct 2006 Volume 1, Issue 5 , Pages 272 - 276.

  

 

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