30 THE COURIER SUN • HEALTH • FEBRUARY 4, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com health Infection rates dropping in hospitals statewide: report The rate of infections acquired by patients while in New York hospitals continued to decrease in 2014, according to the New York State Department of Health (DOH)’s eighth annual Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAI) report. Hospitals have prevented an estimated 15,000 infections since reporting began in 2007. “The 2014 report shows that New York hospitals are making tremendous strides toward reducing hospital-acquired infections,” Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker said. “Reducing these infections requires constant vigilance and preventive strategies. These numbers show that hospitals’ efforts are paying off and resulting in better health.” HAIs, which affect 4 percent of patients admitted to hospitals, result in longer hospital stays, antimicrobial resistance, increased health care costs, unnecessary deaths, and greater emotional and personal costs to patients and their families. Since 2007, the annual HAI report has provided the public with fair, accurate and reliable data, so consumers can compare hospital infection rates and hospitals can use the data to make quality improvements that reduce infections. According to the Health Department, infection rates of clostridium diffi cile dropped 32 percent since 2010; onset CRE infections among inpatients were down 18 percent since 2013; and infections related to abdominal hysterectomy surgery were down 15 percent since 2012. Central line-associated bloodstream infections in intensive care units plummeted by 57 percent since 2007. For the fi rst time, the report includes carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infection rates for individual hospitals. CRE is a bacterial infection that is resistant to antibiotics and has emerged as a serious public health threat in New York State and the nation. Despite the continued declines, infections are still too common. An estimated 2,000 deaths may have been associated with Clostridium diffi cile and antibiotic resistant organisms in 2014 in NYS; approximately 850 of those infections may have been hospital-acquired. DOH has received grant funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to focus additional attention on antibiotic use and these organisms. Efforts to lower HAIs include working with hospitals and nursing homes to better recognize clusters of infection, assessing facility compliance with recommended prevention and control practices, and improving communication between facilities regarding transfers of patients, especially those with infections that are resistant to antibiotics. The full report, including hospital-specifi c results, is available on the DOH web site at http://www.health.ny.gov/ statistics/facilities/hospital/ hospital_acquired_infections. LOOKING FOR CARE FOR YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE? CARING IS OUR BUSINESS Licensed by New York State Department of Health Accreditation MEDICAID ACCEPTED 188 Montague Street 10% OFF with this ad OUR EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS WILL DEVELOP AN APPROPRIATE PLAN OF CARE FOR EACH CLIENT. THE PLAN WILL OUTLINE SPECIFIC TASKS TO MEET THE CLIENT’S NEEDS. WE SERVE THOSE WHO ARE: • Disabled or Elderly • In Need of Assistance with Daily Activities • Recently Discharged From the Hospital • Terminally ill • New Patients With Well Baby Care Needs • In Need of Housekeeping Services SERVICES OFFERED: • Registered Nurses • Licensed Practical Nurses • Home Health Aides • Personal Care Aides • Companions • Live In Aides • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy ALL STAFF MEMBERS ARE INSURED, BONDED & FINGERPRINTED BY NYS-DEPT. OF HEALTH Brooklyn NY T: 718-488-8300 Employment Opportunities Available Please Contact Us 25 South Tyson Avenue Floral Park, NY T: 516-358-1999 Email: carelink1@hotmail.com www.carelinkhomecareny.com Did you know…Heart Disease is the #1 Killer of Women and Men? Choices Cardiology We care about your heart Choices Cardiology 147-‐32 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica NY 11435 (Near Sutphin and Archer Ave.) Near Major Buses, Subways, and LIRR High Blood Pressure? High Cholesterol? Smoker? Poor Diet? Overweight? Stress? New Choices Cardiology Services In the heart of Queens Under the direction of Perry Frankel, M.D. We offer regular check ups and non-‐invasive testing procedures to guard against: ¥ Heart Attack ¥ Cardiovascular Disease ¥ Stroke ¥ Aneurysm For more information and to make an appointment Call 718-‐937-‐5000 or Visit www.choicesmedical.com
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