Significant Reduction in HACs Saves Lives, Money

A new report, released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, shows hospitals have seen a 17 percent decline in hospital-acquired conditions from 2010 to 2014. According to AHRQ, this substantial improvement in patient safety has translated into 87,000 lives saved along with a savings of nearly $20 billion in healthcare costs.

The types of HACs observed in the study included: adverse drug events, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections, pressure ulcers and surgical site infections. While specific causes of the decline in this type of patient harm are not completely understood, researchers are attributing strides made to a concentrated effort by hospitals nationwide to reduce adverse events. Payment incentives set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services  and programs like the Department of Human Services’ Partnership for Patients have helped fuel this focus on preventing patient safety events.

To learn more and to read AHRQ’s report, Saving Lives and Saving Money: Hospital-Acquired Conditions Update, click here.