ITS 90 - Advancing Patient Safety: Integration of Real-time Hospital-acquired Infection Dashboard in Acute Care Quality Improvement

Background: This abstract explores the development and implementation of a comprehensive Hospital-Acquired Infection (HAI) dashboard within the broader framework of quality improvement in acute care hospitals. With a focus on infections such as Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI), Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), and Colorectal and Hysterectomy Surgical Site Infections (COLO/HYST SSIs), this study aims to underscore the critical need for a real-time dashboard that contributes to interdisciplinary hospital-wide quality and performance improvement goals.

Methods: A collaborative, multidisciplinary team spearheaded the development and implementation of a dynamic HAI dashboard, leveraging business intelligence tools and real-time data analytics. The dashboard assimilated data from diverse departments, offering a holistic view of infection rates. Concurrently, interdisciplinary hospital-wide quality and performance improvement goals were established, specifically integrating HAIs as strategic focal points. Prospective monitoring and iterative refinements were key components of the methodology, ensuring adaptability to evolving infection trends.

Results: The implementation of the real-time HAI dashboard resulted in transformative outcomes. By incorporating CAUTI, CLABSI, and COLO/HYST SSIs into broader quality improvement goals, the hospital witnessed a discernible reduction in infection rates. The availability of real-time data empowered healthcare teams to proactively identify and respond to emerging trends, facilitating targeted interventions. Interdisciplinary collaboration flourished as teams rallied around shared performance improvement objectives, fostering a culture of heightened awareness and responsiveness.

Conclusions: This study underscores the profound impact of a dynamic HAI dashboard within the context of acute care hospitals. By including HAIs in real-time hospital-wide quality and performance improvement goals, institutions can elevate their infection control strategies. The results highlight not only the effectiveness of such an approach in reducing infection rates but also its potential to catalyze a culture of continuous improvement. Embracing technological solutions and data-driven insights positions healthcare institutions to fortify patient safety initiatives and contribute to a more resilient and responsive healthcare ecosystem.