4/27/18

Leapfrog: Poorer-Performing Hospitals Struggle with Infection Control

By on 9:08 AM

The Leapfrog Group recently announced its spring "2018 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades." One of the key takeaways: Infection control is a significant challenge for hospitals receiving lower scores.

There were approximately 2,500 hospitals receiving grades in the latest version of the report. Of these, 30% earned an "A" grade, 28% a "B," 35% a "C," 6% a "D" and 1% an "F."

As a FierceHealthcare report notes, of the more than 1,000 hospitals receiving a "C" grade or worse, infection control is a "top pain point."

The report says Leapfrog CEO Leah Binder told FierceHealthcare that while each of the low-graded hospitals face their own specific challenges, some hospitals struggle consistently with meeting infection control measures outlined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is updated every six months — once in the fall and once in the spring.
 

Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, FAPIC

Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, FAPIC, is the founder and president of Infection Control Consulting Services LLC (ICCS). Phenelle has more than 30 years' experience providing customized comprehensive infection control and prevention services to healthcare facilities nationwide. Her services focus on assisting hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, dental office and oral surgery practices, doctor's offices, nursing homes and other organizations with implementing and maintaining an infection control program that: complies with The Joint Commission, AAAHC, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) and other regulatory agencies; respond to situations of noncompliance; and improve the processes for reducing risk.