Shore Health’s Target Zero initiative was one of four programs across the country that received national recognition earlier this year as an honorable mention recipient of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 2012 Partnership in Prevention Award. This national recognition is given annually by HHS in partnership with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) to recognize the top hospitals who have achieved the greatest sustainable improvements towards eliminating healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
The first of its kind, this award is meant to demonstrate that wide-scale reduction and progress toward the elimination of healthcare-associated infections are truly possible when multidisciplinary teams work together.
“It is gratifying for Shore Health to be named among the top hospitals in the country for our Target Zero efforts because so many people at Shore contributed to our success, “ says Michael Tooke, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Shore Health.
Thanks to Target Zero, Shore Health has experienced extended periods of time with zero significant infections, in particular CLABSI, CAUTI, and VAP. Each ICU and many other hospital-based nursing units, including the home care and hospice team, have gone for periods of over a year (some even greater than two or three years) without a device-related infection. Additionally, Shore Health has seen reductions in every other healthcare-associated infection tracked, including MRSA, C-Diff, and VRE.
“It is a thrill to know that the work we do every day is not only saving lives but also is serving as a model for other hospitals throughout the nation to follow.,” says Julie Bryan, BS, RN, Infection Control Coordinator. “Through Target Zero, we have eliminated many healthcare-associated infections and sent our patients home to enjoy life with their loved ones. “
The scope of Target Zero sets us apart from other organizations because, instead of focusing our efforts solely on the intensive care units of the hospitals, all departments throughout the system – both in the hospital and out in the community, even in patients’ homes – are working toward this important goal.
“Across the nation, in acute care facilities of every shape and size, we’re seeing that involving, and sometimes even broadening, the healthcare team in efforts that combine science with implementation results in success,” said Jan Patterson, MD, MS, president for the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
To read more about Target Zero, visit www.shorehealth.org/target-zero/.
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