The Center for Disease Control estimates that nearly $31.5 billion of the $45 billion spent annually on HAIs could be saved with an effective infection control program. Organizations must set aside common misperceptions about HAIs and particularly understand that although they may not see an immediate return on investment, the effort will be worthwhile, according to the PPSA.
APIC and SHEA recommend the following methods to draw attention and resources to HAIs and calculate the estimated value of eliminating HAIs in the organization:
– Prepare an executive summary
– Identify a financial partner
– Frame the problem
– Meet with key administrators or physician leaders
– Determine the costs associated with the infection of interest
– Determine which costs can be avoided through reduced infection rates
– Calculate the financial impact
– Make the business case
– Identify process defects and institute changes
– Measure results
Download a sample infection control business plan (pdf)
Read the entire Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority advisory on guidelines for executives dealing with healthcare-associated infections.
