Quality and Safety Data

Quality and Safety Dashboard

This dashboard shows how we’re keeping you safe. Each section focuses on a different type of safety concern, showing how we’re doing compared to national standards. By tracking this information, we can quickly spot areas for improvement and take action to make your care even safer.

Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI)

CLABSI is an infection that occurs when bacteria or other pathogens enter the bloodstream through a central line, a catheter placed in a large vein. These catheters are important for drawing blood or administering fluids and medications. Factors such as prolonged central line use, poor hygiene, and compromised immune systems increase the risk of infection.

How can patients and families help?

• Hand hygiene is essential: Proper hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer for healthcare providers, family members, and visitors is crucial to infection prevention.
• Open communication matters: Open communication between families and healthcare providers is key in addressing any questions or concerns related to the central line and infection prevention.
• Watch for signs of infection: Families should look for signs of infection, including fever, chills, and redness or tenderness at the catheter site. Promptly report any concerns to healthcare providers. Early intervention is crucial in managing CLABSI.
• Support central line safety: Keeping the central line site clean and dry is key in preventing infection. Notify the healthcare team if the central line dressing appears dirty, wet, or falling off.
• Speak up about infection prevention: Families should speak up if any lapses in infection control practices occur or they have concerns about the care of the central line.

Clostridium Difficile Infection (Antibiotic related diarrhea illness)

C. diff is a bacterial infection that affects the colon and can cause severe diarrhea and inflammation. It often occurs after taking antibiotics, which disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the gut. This allows C. diff to grow and produce toxins that damage the intestinal lining. Individuals in healthcare settings, especially those with weakened immune systems or recent antibiotic use weakened immune systems or recent antibiotic use, are at higher risk.

How can patients and families help?

• Hand washing is essential: Proper handwashing with soap and water by healthcare providers, family members, and visitors is critical in preventing the spread. Alcohol based hand sanitizers are not effective against C. diff spores.
• Open communication matters: Families should feel empowered to ask questions about antibiotic use, infection prevention practices, and any concerns related to diarrhea or gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Watch for signs of infection: Report any changes in bowel habits or signs of illness to the healthcare team. Symptoms include:
  • Frequent watery diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
• Support environmental cleanliness: C. diff spores can survive on surfaces for long periods of time. Families can help by ensuring that shared spaces are kept clean and by notifying team members if rooms or equipment appear dirty.
• Speak up about infection prevention: If you notice lapses in hygiene practices—such as missed hand washing or improper cleaning—don't hesitate to raise concerns. Early action helps protect everyone.

Catheter Association Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)

CAUTI is an infection that happens when bacteria or other pathogens enter the urinary tract through a urinary catheter, a tube placed in the bladder to help drain urine. Urinary catheters are important for helping patients drain urine when they are recovering from some surgeries, have urological complications, or they are very sick. Catheters are helpful, but they’re not meant to stay in forever. The longer a catheter is in place, the higher the chance of infection. That’s why doctors and nurses check often to see if it’s still needed—and remove it as soon as it’s safe to do so.

How can patients and families help?

• Hand hygiene is essential: Encourage clean hands by washing your hands or using hand sanitizer before and after visiting and asking team members to perform hand hygiene prior to touching the catheter.
• Open communication matters: Families should feel comfortable asking questions about the catheter and how to prevent infection. Talking openly with the healthcare team helps keep everyone informed and safe.
• Watch for signs of infection: Look out for symptoms like fever, pain in the lower belly, cloudy or smelly urine, or blood in the urine. If you notice any of these, tell a nurse or doctor right away.
• Support catheter safety: Help keep the catheter clean by ensuring it does not touch the floor, and the tubing is kept straight and not looped. Let the healthcare team know if the tubing looks dirty, twisted, or if the bag isn’t draining properly.
• Speak up about infection prevention: If you see something that doesn’t seem right—like someone not washing their hands or not cleaning the catheter properly—say something. Helping prevent infection is a team effort!

Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene refers to cleaning hands to prevent the spreading of infections and illnesses. Handwashing plays a crucial role in preventing the transmission of germs, including bacteria and viruses.

How do we maintain hand hygiene?

• Hands should be washed using soap and water, rubbing hands together for at least 20 seconds, ensuring thorough coverage of all surfaces, and drying hands completely.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers should be used when soap and water are not readily available.
• Hand washing should be done before entering the patient's room, after body fluid exposure, after touching the patient, and after leaving the patient's room.

How can patients and families help?

• Family members can also be role models for good hand hygiene, especially for children, by consistently practicing proper handwashing.
• Hand hygiene is everyone's collective responsibility to maintain good practices to protect themselves and others from infections.