Do Experts Understand Performance Measures? A Mixed-Methods Study of Infection Preventionists

Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite a nationwide decline in CLABSI rates, individual hospital success in preventing CLABSI is variable. Difficulty in interpreting and applying complex CLABSI metrics may explain this problem. Therefore, we assessed expert interpretation of CLABSI quality data. DESIGN. Cross-sectional survey PARTICIPANTS. Members of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Research Network (SRN) METHODS. We administered a 10-item test of CLABSI data comprehension. The primary outcome was percent correct of attempted questions pertaining to the CLABSI data. We also assessed expert perceptions of CLABSI reporting.

Govindan S, Wallace B, Iwashyna TJ, Chopra V. Do Experts Understand Performance Measures? A Mixed-Methods Study of Infection Preventionists. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. 2018;39:71-76. doi:10.1017/ice.2017.243