NEWTON, Kan., – NMC Health has been named to the Becker’s Hospital Review national list of hospitals with the lowest rates of central line-associated bloodstream infections, known as CLABSIs.
The list features an elite group of medical centers from across the country. It is based on official federal data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). NMC Health earned its place on this list by maintaining a perfect CLABSI infection rate of zero.
“A zero-infection rate is a gold standard in hospital safety,” said Val Gleason, CEO of NMC Health. “When a patient is very sick, the last thing they need is a secondary infection. This national honor shows the deep dedication of our clinical team. They follow strict safety steps every single day to protect our patients.”
Why a Zero Rate Matters
A central line is a special tube that doctors use in place of a regular IV. It goes into a large vein to give patients life-saving medicines or fluids quickly. Because this tube goes close to the heart, keeping it completely clean is vital. Germs can easily enter the blood through a central line, causing a potential life-threatening infection. Preventing these infections requires perfect hand hygiene, specialized training, and checking the line constantly to remove it the moment it is no longer needed. Using a central line helps patients in many ways.
- Long-Term Medicine: Some illnesses, like severe infections, require strong medicines called antibiotics every day for weeks or even months. Instead of poking a patient’s arm with a new needle dozens of times, a central line stays put safely for a long time.
- Giving Chemotherapy: Cancer-fighting medicines are incredibly strong. If they are put into a small arm vein, they can cause burning and hurt the inside of the blood vessel. The giant highway vein mixes the medicine with lots of blood right away, making it much safer and more comfortable.
- Giving Lots of Fluids or Blood: If someone is badly hurt or having a major surgery, they might lose a lot of blood very quickly. A regular IV is too narrow to refill the body in time. A central line is wide enough to pour in life-saving fluids and blood in a matter of seconds.
- Total Liquid Nutrition: Sometimes a person’s stomach or intestines are too sick to digest food. To keep them strong, doctors can give them a special liquid complete with all the vitamins, sugars, and fats they need. This liquid is very thick, so it requires a large central vein to travel through the body.
- Frequent Blood Testing: If a patient is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), doctors may need to check their blood multiple times a day to see how their organs are working. With a central line, nurses can easily pull a blood sample right out of the tube without ever having to poke the patient with a needle.
“Our team is incredibly proud of this award,” said Heather Porter, NMC Health Chief Clinical Officer. “When families come to NMC Health, they know they are getting the safest care possible. As one of only two hospitals in Kansas receiving this honor, it reminds us that NMC Health’s care competes with the very best medical systems in the nation.”
By keeping infection rates at zero, NMC Health ensures that patients can heal safely without dangerous health setbacks.
NMC Health Infection Control Facts:
- National Recognition: Named to Becker’s Low CLABSI Rates list.
- The Achievement: Earned a perfect blood infection score of zero.
- What it Means: Absolute success in keeping lines clean and germs out.
- Location: Newton, Kansas, leading patient safety in the Harvey County region.
To view the national safety reports, visit https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/dataset/77hc-ibv8.