Organizations must test and implement changes to existing processes in order to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Experts have identified the primary and secondary drivers that have been used to successfully reduce and prevent HAIs; one might view these primary drivers as categories and the secondary drivers as key processes that must occur reliably.
Change Package: Reducing Healthcare-Associated Infections
These recommended changes were developed as part of the IHI Learning and Innovation Community on Reducing Hospital-Acquired Infections (MRSA, VRE, C. diff). All of these changes are evidence-based. They have been reported in the scientific literature or have been tested and proven successful in practice.
Changes related to reducing healthcare-associated infections have been developed in various IHI programs and initiatives and similarities may exist among the different suggested improvement ideas.
How-to Guide: Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections
This How-to Guide was developed as part of the IHI Improvement Map initiative. The Guide recommends implementing four components of care to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
How-to Guide: Prevent Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection
This How-to Guide was developed as part of IHI's 5 Million Lives Campaign. The Guide recommends implementing the five components of care called the IHI Central Line Bundle to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections.
How-to Guide: Prevent Surgical Site Infection
This How-to Guide was developed as part of IHI's 5 Million Lives Campaign. The Guide recommends implementing four components of care to prevent surgical site infection.
- Surgical Infection Prevention: Additional changes related to preventing surgical site infections are also available in the Patient Safety Topic area.
How-to Guide: Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
This How-to Guide was developed as part of IHI's 5 Million Lives Campaign. The Guide recommends implementing the four components of care called the IHI Ventilator Bundle to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia.
How-to Guide: Reduce Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
This How-to Guide was developed as part of IHI's 5 Million Lives Campaign. The Guide recommends reliably implementing five components of care to significantly reduce MRSA transmission and infection.
