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Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI)

What are we measuring and why?

A central line is often necessary to receive fluids and medication. Sometimes patients can develop infections associated with these catheters, especially if they have a weak immune system or have chronic diseases. To reduce the risk of infection, it is important to maintain the cleanliness of the line and insertion site as well as removing the line as soon as possible.

How do we measure?

*Standardized Infection Ratios (SIRs) developed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are adjusted for risk factors ranging from type and size of a hospital to the type of unit reporting within the facility –such as a surgical unit or critical care unit - allowing for comparisons among diverse hospitals.

What are we doing to improve?

San Antonio Regional Hospital has ongoing efforts aimed at reducing preventable central line associated bloodstream infections. Following best practice processes outlined by the CDC such as proper hand hygiene, cleansing the patient’s skin, using full barrier precautions during the line insertion, and early line removal. In addition we bathe all critical care unit patients with chlorhexidine on a daily basis to further reduce the risk of infection.

What can you do?

Patients are encouraged to remind their care team to take necessary precautions to reduce risk of infection. Patients and family members should also feel empowered to ask about the necessity of a central line to assure its appropriateness and that it is removed as soon as possible.

Appropriate hand hygiene by the care team, patient, and visitors is an important part of infection prevention.

Colon Surgical Site Infection

What is it?

An infection that occurs after a patient has colorectal surgery that occurs at the body site where the surgery took place. While some infections only involve the skin (superficial), others are more serious and can involve deeper tissues, organs, or implanted materials. The value shown below is a Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR), which is the ratio of the actual number of infections to the expected number of infections during the measurement period. An SIR below 1.0 indicate that the numbers of infections after colon surgery are below the number of expected infections.

Flu Vaccination

Influenza (Flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. About 5%-20% of people in the U.S. contract the flu each year. The flu usually has an abrupt beginning with fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. Young children and the elderly are especially vulnerable. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death.

San Antonio Regional Hospital (SARH) and its clinics offer the flu vaccine to patients and community residents over six months of age during the flu season (Oct-Mar) every year.

How are we doing and how do we compare with the U.S. benchmark?

Patients at San Antonio Regional Hospital received the vaccine 78% of the time compared with 73% for the State of California and 81% for the U.S.

 

What you can do:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says you should take three (3) actions to prevent the flu:
  • Take time to get a flu vaccine
  • Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs
  • Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them
For additional resources and information, please visit The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Willingness to Recommend the Hospital

As part of the HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey about their experience at San Antonio Regional Hospital (SARH), patients are asked if they would recommend the hospital to their family and friends. This data provides San Antonio with an opportunity to measure our patient’s overall experience during their hospital stay.

How are we doing and how do we compare to the National and State Benchmarks?

For July 2022 to June 2023, our survey results indicate that 67% of our patients would recommend San Antonio Regional Hospital to their family and friends. The current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) national average is 69% and the California average of 66%.

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