David B. Nash, M.D., MBA, FACP and editor of the American Journal of Medical Quality will unveil a groundbreaking supplement with three peer-reviewed articles about hospital-acquired infections in the National Press Club (Murrow Room), 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC on November 20, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Two of the studies confront the issue of “blaming” patient characteristics (age, risk factors, severity of illness) for higher infection rates – instead of a hospital’s processes of care (hand washing, timeliness of pre-surgical antibiotics, elevation of pneumonia patients, proper placement of IV tubes). The third article highlights one hospital’s infection reduction efforts, which demonstrate that the costs of treating a hospital-acquired infection can outstrip the payment system – in essence creating a “lose-lose-lose” situation for patients, hospitals and payers.
Hospital-acquired infections are an important issue which Congress (the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations) took up earlier this year. It is also worth noting that hospital-acquired infections are sure to be a hot topic during November as this press conference will occur one week after Pennsylvania releases the nation’s first hospital-specific report on hospital-acquired infections.
March 06, 2024 
