California consumers were urged not to read too much into its first-ever report on hospital-acquired infections. In fact, though, the report suggests some wide differences in performance, and interviews with hospital officials show that many medical centers are working intensely to reduce their infection numbers. In some places, these efforts appear to be paying off.
Wide differences
Hospitals' performance on infections
About this project
Findings
- California consumers were urged not to read too much into its first-ever report on hospital-acquired infections.
- The report suggests some wide differences in performance, and interviews with hospital officials show that many medical centers are working intensely to reduce their infection numbers
- In some places, these efforts appear to be paying off.
Stories
A guide to the four infection types
January 24, 2011
The California Department of Public Health is required to report data from acute-care hospitals on four different hospital-acquired infections...
Chart: Inland Empire infection rates
January 24, 2011
Infection numbers and rates for so-called "central-line" infections at select hospitals' intensive care units.
City of Hope vigilant in fight against infection
January 24, 2011
The three-dozen cancer patients on City of Hope's top floor are among those least able to fight off infection. They've received bone marrow transplants to infuse their blood with healthy new cells.
Hospitals actively seeking to reduce infections in facilities
January 24, 2011
Visitors riding the elevators at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles find themselves face-to-face with colorful floor-to-ceiling posters on the inside doors.
Inland area hospitals grapple with infectious diseases
January 24, 2011
Infection expert Silvia Gnass had barely begun her new job at Riverside County Regional Medical Center two years ago when she began counting cases of patient infections to report to Washington and Sacramento.
KQED features hospital infections radio story
March 21, 2011
Multimedia Reporter Lauren M. Whaley joined Senior Writer Deborah Schoch to produce a story about a hospital in the Inland Empire making great strides in its fight against central line infections. Listen to the radio story that aired on KQED's...
Impact of 'wide differences in hospitals' performance'
April 16, 2012
This project changed the storyline about how consumers should read state data on hospital infections. The Department of Public Health had warned consumers away from reading much of anything into the infections report.
Audio
Photos
Authors
Lauren M. Whaley
Project Partners
