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By eliminating MRSA tests in ICUs Alegent Health saves nearly $200K

Alegent Health is the largest not-for-profit, faith-based healthcare system in Nebraska and southwestern Iowa with nine acute care hospitals, more than 100 sites of service, over 1,300 physicians on its medical staff and roughly 9,000 employees. It is ranked first in the country in quality and patient satisfaction according to the Network for Regional healthcare Improvement (NRHI). It is sponsored by Catholic Health Initiatives and Immanuel Health Systems. www.alegent.com

Situation:

Because of concerns about MRSA, four of five Alegent hospitals were screening every patient admitted to the ICU using lab cultures at considerable cost. A fifth hospital was about to come online for screening as well. Evidence from SafetySurveillor™ indicated that Alegent’s healthcare-acquired infections rate were below normal. Was screening necessary? Did each patient who colonized for MRSA need to be put on precautions?

Solution:

Gathered more data from SafetySurveillor and combined with historical data to determine the extent of the problem
Took the information to the systems’ evidence-based care design sessions where it was discussed at length by front-line practitioners

Result:

Additional data confirmed that Alegent MRSA rates were below normal
Screening provided no added safety for patients or staff or anyone
One hospital had problems but the screening was not helping there; staff focused on Level 1 precautions – hand hygiene, wearing gowns and gloves when appropriate to solve the problem
MRSA screening for each admission to the ICU was eliminated
Saved more than $188,000 between elimination of lab screening tests and use of gowns and gloves plus staff time involved in the screenings

"Because of information from SafetySurveillor, we were able to eliminate the ICU screenings before the fifth hospital began doing them. It was totally unnecessary. It was overkill, particularly given our low, low healthcare-acquired rate. We were spending thousands of dollars on screenings that we really didn’t need to do."

Emily Hawkins, RN, BSN, MPA
Infection Prevention Coordinator

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