FirstDoNoHarm.com Launches Content to Reduce HACs

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., — FirstDoNoHarm.com has launched new content and resources to support healthcare practitioners and executives preparing for enactment of CMS reimbursement rules for hospital-acquired conditions (HACs). Originally introduced more than two years ago, FirstDoNoHarm.com was one of the first Web sites focused on building clinician awareness of infection-protection and compliance issues.

Now available on FirstDoNoHarm.com is a special section on reimbursement designed to help hospitals and practitioners navigate the complex and changing world of reimbursement policies. In addition to news related to the proposed CMS reimbursement rules, the section also includes information on reporting of HACs and a toll-free Reimbursement Hotline to help answer healthcare professionals’ questions on this topic.

“Healthcare professionals have coalesced around the shared goal of reducing preventable infections — and that movement has gained additional urgency as healthcare facilities face the Oct. 1 reduction of Medicare reimbursement for certain hospital-acquired conditions,” said Faisal Masud, medical director of the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Methodist DeBakey Heart Center. “Teleflex Medical has created a valuable resource with FirstDoNoHarm.com — a non-commercial site that’s designed to help medical professionals address the patient, professional and financial dimensions of this problem.”

New on FirstDoNoHarm.com are on-demand clinical education sessions from three of the leading experts on central line safety. Masud provides insight on central line safety with a focus on infection protection. Cheryl Kelley, RN, offers ways to reduce risk and improve outcomes of central lines with proper patient assessment. Jack LeDonne of Greater Baltimore Medical Center gives professionals an in-depth look at central venous access performed with ultrasound guidance. These clinical education presentations are available in Flash media, online video and podcast formats.

“In the clinical setting, safety takes many forms, and infection protection is a major consideration when it comes to central line safety,” comments Masud. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to reach so many medical professionals online with information on this topic as we all work to eliminate hospital-acquired infections.”

Clinicians are the focus of pathogenesis, prevention and intervention information on catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). FirstDoNoHarm.com also includes an archive of “Clinical Mythbusters,” a monthly e-mail bulletin in which the answers to True/False questions help clarify procedures and proper technique that can play a role in infection reduction.

Source: Teleflex Medical