| According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 90,000 people die each year in U.S. hospitals from infections obtained after entering the hospital. Such infections are estimated to cost over $4 billion per year to treat, with much of this cost relating to additional days patients spend in hospitals. Federal health officials estimate that one in 20 patients picks up an infection while hospitalized. These infections can stall recovery, prolong hospital stays, and even require invasive surgeries. In 2007, Governor Jon Corzine's signed a landmark infections reporting bill. The legislation requires individual hospitals to report their rates of infection to the public. In this half-hour program, our panel of guests will discuss possible methods for reducing the spread of hospital acquired infections.
Dr. Jeremias Murillo |
Gail Morchel |
Aline Holmes |
Dr. David Perlin |
Guests:
Dr. Jeremias Murillo – Vice President of Clinical Services for the St. Barnabas Health Care System and an infectious disease specialist.
Gail Morchel – President, Northern New Jersey Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
Aline Holmes – Vice President of Clinical Affairs and Director of the New Jersey Hospital Association’s Institute for Quality and Patient Safety.
Dr. David Perlin – Director and Professor of the Public Health Research Institute at UMDNJ – New Jersey Medical School.
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