North Shore-LIJ Health System Begins Online Posting of Hospital Infection Rates, Other Performance I...(ociated pneumonia. -- Bloodstream in...),Health

-- Bloodstream infections caused by a catheter: Central lines, or

catheters, are used to deliver medications in patients being treated

in intensive care units (ICUs). Usually placed in a large vein in the

upper chest, neck or groin, a central line is needed to manage an

illness or disease, but it can lead to an infection.

-- Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) -- more commonly

known as a resistant "staph" infection: MRSA is a bacteria that

frequently resides in the nose or on the skin of healthy and ill

individuals. If the bacteria enters the body, an infection can occur.

-- Surgical site infections: In most surgical procedures, an incision is

made to gain entry under the skin, breaking the body's first line of

defense against infection and increasing the risk of an infection.

-- Clostridium difficile: C.difficile is a type of bacteria that can

cause stomach discomfort. It grows in the large bowel (colon) and

makes a substance that can cause diarrhea. C.difficile also produces

spores that can be found on toilet seats or other places touched by

unwashed hands.

Hospitals already report hospital-acquired infections to the New York State Department of Health, which the state will begin to publicly report in 2009.

"Our efforts at public reporting are aimed at building trust with patients and reinforcing the message that quality is a continuous work in progress," said Lawrence G. Smith, MD, chief medical officer of the North Shore-LIJ Health System. "On this new Web site, we're comfortable sharing information with the public about those areas where we are strong as well as those areas where we need to do better. It's all part of our commitment to continuous improvement."

Mr. Dowling said North Shore-LIJ decided to start reporting the information voluntarily because
'/>"/>