I read with great interest the news story "Hospital infection rate falls in Western Pennsylvania" (May 28 and TribLIVE.com).
Highmark Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is also concerned with the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections and is proud of its role in collaborating with area hospitals to reduce central line bloodstream infections, described in the story as "common in very sick patients who have catheters placed in their necks." In fact, it is a primary focus of Highmark's QualityBLUE pay-for-performance program that aligns reimbursement to hospitals with high-quality care and improved outcomes for patients.
While the story focused on University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and West Penn Allegheny Health System, I am pleased to point out that all 52 hospitals in Western and Central Pennsylvania and West Virginia that participate in Highmark's QualityBLUE program are required to focus on the reduction of hospital-acquired infections.
During the past three years, they prevented a total of 1,020 potential central line bloodstream infections. As a result, there was a savings of $37.5 million in avoided care costs.
More importantly, as many as 255 lives were saved, and that number represents the lives of everyone admitted to those hospitals, not just Highmark members.
Donald R. Fischer
The writer, a physician who holds an MBA, is senior vice president and chief medical officer of Highmark Inc.
