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News and Numbers: Bloodstream Infections
Rand: Bloodstream infections are a serious and potentially deadly
complication. These infections can occur when a central line catheter is placed
into a large vein in a patient’s neck, chest or groin area to administer
medication or fluids, or to collect blood samples. About a quarter of a million
hospital patients get a bloodstream infection each year in the U.S., and up to
62,000 die as a result. Finding ways to reduce and prevent bloodstream
infections is critical to saving lives. That’s why AHRQ has awarded nearly $3
million for a contract to help reduce central line-associated bloodstream
infections in hospital intensive care units in at least 10 states. The 3-year
project will continue work started by the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore
and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, where a similar program helped
to reduce infection rates to zero in more than 50 hospital intensive care units
within three months.
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