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The True Cost Of A Poor Infection Prevention Policy
Every year, around 2 million Americans suffer from hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), a statistic provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to an article from InfectionControl.tips, these infections contribute significantly to healthcare costs in the U.S., amounting to approximately $4.5 billion annually. Shockingly, many of these infections are preventable with proper infection control measures. Let’s explore some of the economic consequences that arise from poor infection prevention policies.
One of the ways the U.S. government is attempting to address the financial burden caused by HAIs is through Medicare reimbursement adjustments. Hospitals are now required to report their HAI data, and those with inadequate performance may face reduced Medicare payments. The aim is to incentivize better infection prevention practices by linking financial rewards to compliance. However, research suggests that payment penalties alone have not been very effective in reducing HAI rates. In fact, a study conducted by Stanford University researchers revealed that some hospitals might be engaging in a practice called “upcoding,†which involves claiming that patients were already infected upon admission. This approach creates the illusion of improved HAI rates while inflating the actual costs associated with hospital care.
The impact of HAIs extends beyond just hospital budgets. On average, patients without an HAI spend about 5 days in the hospital, whereas those with an HAI often require an additional 3 to 15 days of treatment. These prolonged stays can result in extra costs for hospitals, sometimes exceeding $60,000 per patient. Since Medicare does not cover the expenses related to treating HAIs, hospitals bear the brunt of these financial burdens. Experts estimate that underperforming hospitals could lose over $1 million due to Medicare penalties alone.
Looking at the broader picture, insurance companies also feel the pinch. Studies show that inpatient stays account for 60 to 80 percent of a member’s annual insurance claims expenses. By preventing just one HAI, a hospital could save around $15,000. If every hospital in the U.S. were able to prevent a single case of infection annually, it could lead to a reduction of $52 million in insurance claims expenses.
Despite these challenges, there is hope for improvement. Surveillance data indicates that only about 40 percent of healthcare workers consistently follow recommended hand hygiene practices, including the use of disposable gloves. Encouraging better hand hygiene alongside high-quality hand protection products could make a significant difference in infection prevention efforts.
At Ventyv™, we believe in providing solutions that support infection prevention goals. Our range of disposable gloves offers comfort, durability, and excellent hand protection for various medical, dental, laboratory, and veterinary applications. Whether you’re looking to enhance your infection control protocols or simply need reliable hand protection, our products are designed with both functionality and user experience in mind.
If you’re interested in learning more about how our Ventyv™ Menagerie of infection prevention products can benefit your practice, feel free to contact us [here](insert link) or give us a call at 1-888-483-6898 (1-888-4Ventyv). Together, we can work towards creating safer environments for everyone.
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