Over 100,000 Americans die every year of hospital-acquired infections and countless others acquire infections that require significant additional treatment. These infections represent a nearly $7 billion burden to the U.S. healthcare system. And these infections are totally preventable. However, a recent article by Wachter, RM and Pronovost, PJ in the October 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine really struck me as insightful.
In hospital systems, we’ve intentionally designed a system of “no blame” around hospital-acquired infections. Physicians that slip up are held harmless – an incentive that was developed as a way to motivate physicians to adjust their behavior and employ sanitary hand Washington techniques. Essentially, “No Blame” was designed to minimize malpractice lawsuits.
However, the authors challenge the current hospital culture of “No Blame.” Perhaps it’s time to reintroduce a little accountability into the system where physicians are once again held accountable for their mistakes (including even basic errors like a refusal to wash their hands). Motivating behavior change necessitates both the carrot and the stick.
Industry has also responded. Kimberly-Clark has countered with an education campaign “Not on My Watch.” They offer products to dispense protective equipment and hand sanitizers found on many hospital floors. So, while physicians may be reluctant to embrace sanitary techniques, there are products that make it easier for docs – the Kimberly-Clark dispensing station does everything but wash doctors hands for them.
In the United States, we have the ability to eradicate hospital-acquired infections. There’s no reason why 100,000 people need to die. Hopefully, my physician peers will adjust their behavior soon.
