Hospital Acquired Infections -- Massachusetts Rtats

New data from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services shows that Massachusetts has the 14th lowest/best rate among the 50 states in the incidence of one of the most serious and deadly types of hospital acquired infections (HAIs). Kaiser News has a good summary here. In 2009, there were 41,000 central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in U.S. hospitals, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These infections happen when narrow tubes are inserted in a major vein to inject medicine or fluids or to perform tests. Each one, according to CMS, adds about $17,000 in costs to a hospital stay, and about one fourth of patients who get the infection die from it. And, if hospitals follow recommended guidelines, the infection is almost entirely preventable. As part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA/ObamaCare -- section 3008), hospitals with excessively high rates of preventable HAIs (e.g.: these infections) will soon face significant financial penalties from CMS.

Hospital Acquired Infections -- How Does Massachusetts Stack Up? - Health Stew - Boston.com