10/1/2026
The Eisenberg Award recognizes EDS-HAT, a genomic surveillance system developed with University of Pittsburgh researchers and piloted at UPMC Presbyterian to stop hospital-acquired infection outbreaks.PITTSBURGH, Oct. 1, 2026 — UPMC received a national patient safety award from the Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum for EDS-HAT, a genomic surveillance system developed with University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers and piloted at UPMC Presbyterian.
Key Takeaways
— UPMC received the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award for Local Level Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality from the Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum at the UNIFY 2026 conference.— The award recognizes EDS-HAT (Enhanced Detection System for Healthcare-Associated Transmission), a real-time genomic surveillance system UPMC developed with University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers and piloted at UPMC Presbyterian starting in November 2021.
— EDS-HAT uses whole genome sequencing to flag genetically related patient infections, allowing infection prevention teams to investigate and intervene before outbreaks spread.
— Over a two-year period, EDS-HAT identified 172 outbreaks involving 476 patients that might have gone undetected by traditional methods, stopping further transmission in 96% of cases and preventing 62 infections and five deaths.
— The system saved nearly $700,000 in treatment costs, a 3.2-fold return on investment, according to Lee Harrison, M.D., the Pitt professor and UPMC infectious diseases physician who invented EDS-HAT.
UPMC was presented with the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award for Local Level Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality at UNIFYTM 2026: Convening for Quality, the Joint Commission's flagship annual conference dedicated to advancing health care quality, patient safety and organizational excellence.
What Is EDS-HAT? A Genomic Surveillance System for Hospital-Acquired Infections
EDS-HAT stands for the Enhanced Detection System for Healthcare-Associated Transmission. It is a real-time surveillance system that uses increasingly affordable whole genome sequencing to identify genetically related infections among hospitalized patients — a sign that one patient may have passed an infection to another. Infection prevention teams then investigate to find the transmission route and intervene before the infection spreads further.Pitt-Developed Genomic Surveillance Piloted at UPMC Presbyterian
UPMC developed EDS-HAT with researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The health system piloted the system at UPMC Presbyterian, its flagship hospital, starting in November 2021.
“This award is a testament to UPMC’s unwavering dedication to patient safety and the provision of quality, life-changing medicine,” said Sandy Rader, president of UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside Hospital. “I am so proud of our infection prevention teams and our partnership with University of Pittsburgh scientists to seek out and develop scientific advances that embody UPMC’s commitment to lead the transformation of healthcare.”
Two-Year Results: 172 Outbreaks Detected, 62 Infections Prevented
— Over a two-year period, EDS-HAT produced the following results:
— Outbreaks identified: 172
— Patients involved: 476
— Transmission halted: no further spread in 96% of identified outbreaks
— Infections prevented: 62
— Deaths prevented: five
— Cost savings: nearly $700,000 in treatment costs
— Return on investment: 3.2-fold
These outbreaks involved patients who might have gone undetected using traditional outbreak detection methods.
“It is a no-brainer to implement EDS-HAT at every healthcare facility nationwide,” said Lee Harrison, M.D., professor of infectious diseases and epidemiology at Pitt, infectious diseases physician at UPMC and inventor of EDS-HAT. “I hope that this recognition from Joint Commission and National Quality Forum contributes to ongoing conversations among U.S. health care leadership, payors and policymakers about the benefits of genomic surveillance as standard practice in healthcare. UPMC is a true trailblazer in using evidence-based technology to put patient safety first.”
About the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award
The Eisenberg Awards, launched in 2002 and named in honor of the late John M. Eisenberg, M.D., M.B.A., a leading advocate for healthcare quality improvement and former administrator of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, recognize major achievements by individuals and organizations that are improving patient safety and healthcare quality in innovative and measurable ways.
“Our award honorees exemplify what healthcare can achieve when people and organizations are united by a commitment to excellence, innovation, collaboration and service of patients,” said Jonathan B. Perlin, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Joint Commission. “Their contributions have advanced safer, higher-quality care and inspired progress for patients and families across the U.S. and around the world. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and grateful for their ongoing dedication to shaping a stronger healthcare system and a better health future for all. Their accomplishments inspire us to think bigger, strive higher and accelerate progress across the care continuum.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is EDS-HAT and how does it detect hospital infection outbreaks?
A: EDS-HAT is a real-time surveillance system that uses whole genome sequencing to identify genetically related infections among hospitalized patients. When a match is found, infection prevention teams investigate the transmission route and intervene before the outbreak spreads.
Q: What award did UPMC receive and who presented it?
A: UPMC received the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award for Local Level Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality from the Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum at UNIFY 2026: Convening for Quality.
Q: Where has EDS-HAT been used, and how effective has it been?
A: UPMC piloted EDS-HAT at UPMC Presbyterian starting in November 2021. Over a two-year period, it identified 172 outbreaks involving 476 patients, stopped further transmission in 96% of those outbreaks, and prevented 62 infections and five deaths.
Additional Resources
— Press contact: Allison Hydzik | UPMC Media Relations
— Joint Commission coverage: 2026 Patient Safety and Quality Award Winners
— Related UPMC coverage: Pitt-Developed Outbreak Detection System Saves Lives
— Related Pitt coverage: Enhanced Detection System for Healthcare-Associated Transmission (EDS-HAT) Featured in New Documentary About Innovative Tech and Patient Safety
— Related research: Real-Time Genomic Surveillance for Enhanced Healthcare Outbreak Detection and Control: Clinical and Economic Impact | Clinical Infectious Diseases
