State Commissioner of Health Credits Fund, GNYHA, and NYC Hospitals for Lower Rates of Infection

Release Date: 07.09.2008
Contact: rdeluna@uhfnyc.org
Contact Phone: 212-494-0733

In its July 8 press release announcing New York's first annual report on hospital-acquired infections, the state's Department of Health noted that New York City hospitals recorded a lower infection rate for central line use than upstate hospitals.

“We believe that is attributable to a collaborative effort among a number of hospitals, the United Hospital Fund, and the Greater New York Hospital Association to combat infection,” State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., said, in the release.

“This important, timely report is another example of the state's thoughtful, visionary approach to improving patient outcomes,” said Tern A. Straub, RN, MBA, vice president of quality and patient safety for Greater New York Hospital Association. “New York's hospitals share DOH's goal of reducing and eventually eliminating all hospital-acquired infections.”

“We at the United Hospital Fund are thrilled to be partnering with the Greater New York Hospital Association and 60 New York metro area hospitals to improve health care quality and patient safety on several fronts, including tackling certain hospital-acquired infections,” said Sean Cavanaugh, director of health care finance at United Hospital Fund. “While we haven't completely eliminated these infections, there are a lot of people walking around New York today who simply never got that infection that might have otherwise threatened their lives.”