Parkland Medical Center Recognized by IHI and the Advisory Board for Infection Reduction Efforts

DERRY, NH - October 25, 2007 – Numerous studies indicate that common hospital-acquired infections are on the rise.  To help reduce infections, Parkland Medical Center has adopted and endorsed the Institute for Health Improvement’s (IHI) recommended actions to reduce infections, most notably methcillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, pronounced “Mer-Sa”). 

Earlier last year, Parkland launched an aggressive campaign to eradicate MRSA, which accounts for many avoidable infections such as ventilator-associated pneumonia, bloodstream infections and surgical site infections. 

Karen Cozzens, RN, MSN, CIC, Infection Control director at Parkland, was recently recognized by the IHI for her initiatives in helping reduce MRSA, which accounts for more than 60 percent of Staph infections.  “Proper hand hygiene is the most effective means of reducing hospital-acquired infections,” said Cozzens.  “At Parkland we have taken a very aggressive approach in identifying patients with MRSA and placing them on isolation precautions to prevent the transmission of this potentially harmful organism.”

Cozzens has implemented inpatient and outpatient measures throughout the hospital that include flagging the MRSA history of a patient in the computer system and color- coding patient wrist bands to identify needed precautions.  If patients are flagged, Cozzen’s extension is available 24/7 for staff to contact her with any questions.  Information is distributed to the medical staff and training is conducted by Cozzens to keep the hospital staff updated with current infection control recommendations.

To ensure proper infection control precautions are being taken, Cozzens works closely with environmental service personnel, support staff, nurses and physicians. “Nurses use critical thinking to decide whether to place someone on precautions while awaiting culture results. Along with nurses, the environmental services staff is very knowledgeable and plays an important role in helping to reduce MRSA.  It’s rewarding to have staff like this, and if something doesn’t look right like a missing isolation sign, they don’t hesitate to call me.”

Cozzens was also recently contacted by The Advisory Board Company in Washington, DC.  The Advisory Board, comprised of 900 researchers, terrain-based experts, hospital administrators, clinicians and consultants, all dedicated to examining the critical issues facing members will be highlighting Cozzen’s experience in an upcoming teleconference on hospital-acquired infections. 

“We’re always looking to improve infection prevention and control and take necessary next steps to reduce MRSA,” said Cozzens. “We have recently begun to focus more on visitors to ensure they take proper measures when it comes to infection control.  It’s all about the safety of patients and educating our staff and visitors about the importance of ways we can all help reduce hospital-acquired infections.” 

PMC professionals, like Karen Cozzens, are available to discuss community healthcare issues.  To learn more, contact Ryan Lawrence at ryan.lawrence@hcahealthcare.com or 603-421-2115.

About Parkland Medical Center

Parkland Medical Center is a regional acute care hospital located in Derry, New Hampshire, serving the populations of Derry, East Derry, Londonderry, Windham, Salem, Chester, Atkinson and Hampstead.  Established in 1983, the hospital is a leading provider of high quality healthcare services.  Twice Parkland has been the recipient of Solucient’s “Top 100 Hospital Benchmarks for Success” Award, a distinction given to hospitals demonstrating superior performance across quality, operational and financial indicators. In 2006, Parkland was named Business of the Year by the Greater Derry Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about its services, programs and physicians, visit www.parklandmedicalcenter.com.