What's Next in the Drive to Eliminate Preventable Harm and Cut Costs?

PREVENTION of communicable diseases; PATIENT safety; QUALITY assurance; CENTRAL venous catheterization; EVALUATION of human services programs

The article presents an interview with Peter J. Pronovost, director of the Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality. When asked about the significance of a Michigan central line associated bloodstream infection cost savings study, Pronovost says that while participants in the study knew they had reduced infections they didn't know if they had lowered costs. He comments on the study's impact on health care. Pronovost believes that communication is essential in medical care.