Hospital To-Do List Saves Lives

Dan Frith

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I rarely read Jane Brody's syndicated column from the New York Times but a recent article caught my attention. The article was entitled, "A Basic Hospital To-Do List Saves Lives of Patients." Being a medical malpractice attorney who represents victims of medical negligence...this title caught my eye!

The article suggested five simple steps in dealing with patients with a central venous catheter which would go a long way to reducing hospital acquired infections like MRSA and Staph. A central venous catheter is used for The 5 steps are:

1. Doctors should wash their hands with soap prior to inserting the catheter.

2. The patient's skin should be cleaned with chlorhexidine antiseptic.

3. Sterile drapes should be placed over the entire patient, not just where the catheter is being placed.

4. The doctor should use a sterile mask, hat, gown, and gloves.

5. A sterile dressing should be placed over the dressing site.

These 5 simple steps were followed at Johns Hopkins Medical Center as well as in 108 intensive care units in Michigan. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In sum, the checklist saved more than 1,500 lives and more than $200 million in medical costs which would have been incurred had the patients contracted and been treated for the infections which were avoided.

Every hospital in America should follow these 5 simple steps! Does your hospital?