Community Hospital Calamity
Case Study
The Client
A 780 bed community acute care hospital, located in a suburb of a major metropolitan area.
The Department
Environmental Services (ES) includes cleaning and disinfection, patient and material portering.
What Was Happening
- Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) rates of MRSA and C-Difficile had increased, above peer facility and population norms
- Outbreaks of both pathogens were occurring regularly, in multiple patient care units, including the ICU
- Infection prevention and control has concerns about the performance of ES
- The response from ES was "more staff and more supervisors”
- The COO is taking heat from physicians; even the media has taken notice
HPS Approach
C1 Consult
Completed an operational review, confirmed the technical competencies and staffing requirements; we reported on findings and recommended actions.
C2 Create
Created environmental hygiene corporate policy, a manual of standard operating practices, unit specific customer service plans, individual position work routines.
C3 Coach
Trained all staff in infection control concepts and environmental hygiene methods; we coached the ES supervisors to raise their performance game.
C4 Confirm
Audited outcomes before, during and after our work; we met with staff, infection control and clinical teams throughout the project.
HPS Delivered Results
- C-Diff and MRSA rates (adjusted) decreased by 41%, and are now within peer hospital and community norms (actually in the lower quartile)
- The number of outbreaks has decreased
- IPAC and Physician confidence in the environment of care has improved
- ES staff is thriving with their new skills, clarified responsibilities, and balanced workload
- ES leaders are solving problems pro-actively and finding solutions without asking for "more"