1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
"Prevention model for bloodstream infections offers hope, but incidents persist" by Kay Schwebke.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
July 22, 2010.
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Every year, an estimated 250,000 central-line associated bloodstream infections, or CLABSI, occur in U.S. hospitals and 30,000 to 62,000 people die as a result. Although a successful prevention model exisits, there has been no national improvement in reducing these infections. "On the CUSP: STOP Blood Stream Infections (BSI)," a model developed by researchers from the Johns Hopkins University Quality and Safety Research Group, eliminated CLABSI in more than 70 Michigan hospitals and more than 103 intensive care units that participated in a study published in 2006 – and this success has been sustained for more than four years, saving thousands of lives and millions of dollars. But as "On the CUSP: STOP BSI," funded my AHRQ and supported by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has been rolled out nationally, many U.S. hospitals have failed to participate. In Minnesota, only seven hospitals have participated in this national program. This story explored the low level of participation in Minnesota. Although several Minnesota organizations seemed to believe there was no need to participate since the problem was under control, staff from non-participating hospitals were unwilling to release their infection rates. Meanwhile, staff from participating hospitals reported value, shared their infection rates, and encouraged other Minnesota hospitals to join them.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Internet sources included infection surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Hospital Quality Report websites. "On the CUSP: STOP BSI" state and hospital participation rates were obtained from the site: http://www.safercare.net. This story did no require FOI or public records act requests.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
Several sources were interviewed including staff from the national "On the CUSP" STOP BSI" project, the Minnesota Hospital Association, and medical directors and other staff from several Minnesota hospitals.
6. Results (if any).
Summarized above.
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
None.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Currently, many hospitals including those in Minnesota, are not required to report CLABSI rates or other hospital-acquired infections. Likely, this will change with healthcare reform. I would encourage journalists to look for emerging data sources related to hospital-acquired infections. This information will identify and strengthen investigative stories.