HHS action plan 'deputizes'patients
HHS action plan 'deputizes'patients
Feds call for consumer education campaign
Infection preventionists well know that patients have become increasingly aware of the problem of health care-associated infections (HAIs), becoming prevention activists in their own right and putting increasing pressure on hospitals to address the issue. That pressure is about to increase exponentially.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) "Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections" includes a blueprint for a massive public education campaign on HAIs. The goal is to empower "consumers with tools and knowledge to be effective patient advocates for prevention," the HHS plan states. There is even mention of creating and distributing a "bill of rights" laminated card for patients as part of a media blitz and education effort to raise national awareness about HAIs. While the bulk of the action plan is focused on the HHS getting its own act — and respective agencies — together on the issue of HAIs, the feds have essentially decided to deputize the patients.
"We feel that consumers have a very important role to play," says Don Wright, MD, MPH, principal deputy assistant secretary for health at the HHS. Wright chairs the HHS Steering Commission for Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections, which produced the action plan. "[Examples include] asking their providers if they are up to date on their immunizations that might prevent an unnecessary infection, being aware of a facility's infection control program when they enter the hospital, and making sure their health care providers wash their hands appropriately. Our media campaign will target all areas — health care institutions, health providers, and consumers."
Among the targeted audiences in the health care sector are hospital leadership, health care workers, and infection preventionists. Of course, there is that little detail of getting patients to understand that not all infections are preventable. But many more of them should be if patients and families take an active role in infection prevention upon admission to the hospital. The HHS action plan cites five priority campaign messages:
- Hand hygiene
- Health care personnel vaccination
- Patient vaccination
- Prompt removal of catheters and other devices
- Antimicrobial stewardship
In Lettermanesque fashion, the plan also includes the "Top 10" messages for the outreach campaign:
- Many health care-associated infections are preventable.
- A systemic approach to reducing the transmission of disease can be more effective than disease-specific approaches.
- Developing and supporting the conduct of basic and translational studies to address the gaps in the science in this field will allow generation of additional strategies that can be used to reduce the risks of HAI transmission.
- It will take a strong partnership between federal and local/state governments and communities to truly help prevent HAIs. HHS is committed to this partnership and many of its agencies are and will be involved.
- The education of best practices for providers and other health care personnel is critical to prevent HAIs.
- Specific metrics and national targets have been developed by HHS in concert with national experts on controlling infections.
- Educating patients on HAIs and how to prevent them will be a critical part of the national effort.
- An informed media can help promote the education of the American public about the need to prevent HAIs and what HHS and its partners are doing.
- Preventive steps to control and prevent HAIs are cost-effective and will save many lives and reduce disability for Americans.
- The time to act on HAIs is now, and HHS and its partners are committed to working closely with providers, health systems, community leaders, and governments to help prevent HAIs.
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