NY Hospital Infections Declining

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A report from the state Health Department says the number of infections acquired by patients while in New York hospitals continues to decline.

The sixth-annual report on hospital-acquired infections found that since 2007 the rate of central-line associated blood stream infections has fallen 53 percent and rates of surgical site infections fell by 16 percent.

The report released Tuesday presents 2012 hospital-acquired infection rates identified by hospitals for surgical site infections related to colon, cardiac bypass, hip replacement and hysterectomies.

The report says the decline in blood stream infections has saved an estimated $18 million to $72 million in health care costs. It says the decline in surgical site infections has saved between $12 million and $35 million.

Data from the report is available at: www.health.data.ny.gov