Children’s PICUs earn top recognition in Consumer Reports

Children's PICUs earned outstanding recognition in Consumer Reports' review of central line bloodstream infection data from 2010 in pediatric intensive care units of 92 children’s hospitals around the country. In the report, the PICU at Children’s – St. Paul was one of just five PICUs reporting zero bloodstream infections in 2010, and earning the highest possible rating. The PICU at Children’s – Minneapolis was one of 29 hospitals that earned the second highest rating because it reported less than half as many blood stream infections as the national average.

We know that every statistic on a report represents a child, and a family. And, it requires constant attention to provide safe care, especially when it comes to the invisible pathogens that can take a life. From 2006 to 2010, our PICUs combined had a 91 percent reduction in hospital acquired central line bloodstream infections.

Children’s is proud of our PICU staff for this significant feat. Currently, the PICU at Children’s – St. Paul has accomplished a record-setting 892 days without a central line blood stream infection. It takes constant vigilance in following the bundles, asking if the line is necessary, and helping each other to remember to wash our hands to achieve this level of care without a hospital-acquired infection.

Read the Consumer Reports article.