The Infection Prevention Collaborative has been charged with working through December 2011 to reduce two selected HAIs: Surgical Site Infections (SSI) and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The purpose of the collaborative is to reduce SSI and CDI rates in Colorado through consistent implementation of evidence based practices. The collaborative will work toward making significant progress in achieving national 5 year prevention targets established by the Health and Human Services Department (HHS).   

Surgical Site Infections

The HHS target specifies a reduction in the admission and readmission of SSI Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR) by at least 25% of baseline.

The SSI Collaborative’s main goal is to reduce the admission and readmission SSI Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR) by at least 25% from baseline (5 year goal).

·         By December 31, 2010 – 10% reduction

·         By November 17, 2011 – 15% reduction

The objectives are to achieve 95% adherence rates for the following infection process measures:

·         Appropriate prophylactic antibiotic choice

·         Appropriate timing of prophylactic antibiotics

·         Appropriate discontinuation of prophylactic antibiotics

·         Appropriate hair removal

·         Perioperative glucose control

·         Normothermia

Clostridium difficile Infections

The HHS target specifies a reduction in the healthcare facility onset CDI rate by at least 30% from baseline or to zero.

The CDI Collaborative’s main goal is to reduce the median CDI Healthcare Facility-Onset Incidence Rate in Colorado by at least 15% from baseline by November 17, 2011.

The objectives are to achieve a 90% or greater adherence rate of:

·         Compliance with CDC/WHO recommended hand hygiene practices

·         Compliance with CDC recommended contact precaution practices

·         Compliance with environmental cleaning protocols

Additionally, we will work to ensure facilities are providing education on CDI to patients, families, healthcare workers, housekeeping staff and administration. Participating facilities will also be required to have a lab-based alert reporting system in place.