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Infection Control

At UPMC in central Pa., we are committed to patient safety and infection prevention. We have implemented rigorous process improvements to prevent device associated and surgical site infections and to improve hand hygiene.

For quality data reports please visit one of the following reporting sites:

Key Initiatives for Infection Prevention

Hand Hygiene

At UPMC in central Pa., hand washing is a priority. We educate our staff about when and how to wash their hands. Staff members and physicians are secretly observed to see if they are washing their hands when providing patient care. In 2019, there were over 17,000 hand washing observations performed system wide with a result of 97% compliance with hospital policies and requirements.

Staff Education

Our interventions have focused on educational programs for physicians, nurses and other clinical staff, utilizing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and best-practice recommendations by the Institute for Health care Improvement (IHI).

Management of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDRO's)

UPMC in central Pa. has a consistently low rate of hospital-associated MDRO's. Examples of MDRO's are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase or KPC-producing bacteria and extended spectrum beta-lactamase or ESBL-producing bacteria.

We follow the guidelines in the CDC publication, Management of Multidrug Resistant Organisms in Healthcare Settings. Some patients who have an MDRO are placed in Contact Precautions. This means that staff and visitors will wear gowns and gloves when going into the patient's room, and in most cases the patient will have a private room.

Surgical Site Infection Reduction

In order to prevent surgical site infections, UPMC in central Pa. follows the CDC Guidelines for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection publication. Recommendations include giving the proper prophylactic antibiotics prior to the start of the procedure and discontinuing prophylactic antibiotics at the right time.

Contact Us

If you have questions about UPMC in central Pa. quality information and data, please contact our Performance Improvement Department at 717-231-8469.

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