I am off to Atlanta for a meeting at the Centers for Disease Control. Consumers Union campaign, Stop Hospital Infections, has been instrumental in helping to pass legislation across the country. When 50% of the states passed bills, and Connecticut passed its bill in 2006, everyone began to pay a lot more attention. Thanks to CU's efforts and support we are now focusing on addressing a preventable tragedy. This is an exciting opportunity for me to interact with their experts and talk to them about your concerns.
And then in July the National Priorities Partnership, a part of the National Quality Forum, is holding a two day meeting in DC. The meeting will address the interventions, barriers and gaps in dealing with health care acquired infections. There is l one other consumer attending this meeting and everone else is an "expert."
What is the role of the consumer on these committees? We are all finding our way as this is very new to a lot of "experts". But clearly the voice of the consumer is demanding accountability and transparency - shining light behind, until recently, effectively locked doors.
Wish me luck! |
 Dr. Peter Pronovost's hospital safety and checklist program to prevent ICU central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) that, in Michigan, saved an estimated 1,500 lives and $200 million in the first 18 months alone. Dr. Pronovost is now expanding this program nationally, to try to get every hospital ICU to adopt this method of preventing infections. Many of CT hospitals are beginning to use this checklist.
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