Also known as healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) or nosocomial infections, HAC refers to infections or other adverse events that patients acquire during their stay in a healthcare facility, such as hospitals or nursing homes.
A program initiated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the United States aimed at reducing the occurrence of HACs in hospitals by implementing penalties or incentives based on hospitals’ performance in preventing these conditions.
Measures used to evaluate hospital performance in preventing adverse events or complications during a patient’s hospitalization, including infections, surgical errors, and other patient safety concerns.
A payment model that ties financial incentives or penalties to the quality of care provided by hospitals, including outcomes such as HAC rates, rather than just the quantity of services rendered.
The process of accounting for differences in patient populations and clinical complexity when comparing hospital performance on quality measures like HAC rates, ensuring fair assessments across different facilities.
A specific type of HAC referring to infections that occur when bacteria enter the bloodstream through a central line catheter, often resulting in serious complications for patients.
Another type of HAC characterized by infections that arise when bacteria enter the urinary tract through a catheter, commonly used in hospitalized patients.
Infections that develop at the site of surgery, posing significant risks to patients undergoing surgical procedures and often leading to prolonged hospital stays and additional medical interventions.
The process of comparing a hospital’s performance on HAC rates and other quality measures against national or regional benchmarks, identifying areas for improvement and best practices to emulate.
Systematic efforts undertaken by hospitals to enhance patient safety and reduce the incidence of HACs, involving interventions such as staff training, protocol development, and infection control measures to mitigate risks and improve outcomes.