The New York State Department of Health (DOH) posted its annual report on New York State hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) for 2019. The report includes hospital-specific infection rates for four HAIs: central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), surgical site infections (SSI), Clostridium difficile infections (CDI), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections—plus statewide data on catheter-associated urinary tract infections, multi-drug resistant organisms, and hospital infection prevention practices. The report assesses trends between 2015 and 2019.
New York State reported overall reductions across HAIs in 2019 as follows:
- SSIs:
- Colon: 28% reduction from 2015
- Coronary artery bypass graft: 23% reduction
- Hip replacement: 8% reduction
- Hysterectomy: 8% increase
- CLABSIs: 27% reduction
- CDIs: 45% reduction
- CREs: 38% reduction
Hospitals can find spreadsheets of the data highlighted in the report via the Health Data NY website. The New York State HAI report includes approximate comparisons of concurrent state and national HAI rates, as available in annual progress reports published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). New York State HAI rates remain slightly above the national averages since reporting began.
Publication of today’s HAI report was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reporting of New York State HAIs between January 1, 2020, through June 30, 2020, was suspended, and any data entered for that time period will not be included in future HAI reports. GNYHA will help hospitals with programming and technical assistance as they recover from their heroic pandemic response efforts and return to focusing on combatting emerging pathogens that threaten patient safety. Specifics about GNYHA’s programming and technical assistance will be announced soon.
DOH also released a consumer version of the HAI report to help patient’s understand HAIs and how to prevent them. GNYHA encourages hospitals to review their data and anticipate inquiries from the media and public. Please contact Brian Conway for help with media inquiries.