Mercy Regional Medical Center was recognized in the latest issue of Consumer Reports as one of the cleanest hospitals
in the state in terms of patient infection rates.
Mercy and two other Colorado hospitals had zero central-line infections for the survey period of July 1, 2007, to June
2009. During that time, Mercy had 1,153 patient central-line days in the hospital's intensive-care unit.
A central-line catheter is unlike a standard intravenous line. A central line is threaded through a large vein that
leads to a patient's heart, and remains in place longer than a standard IV, often weeks at a time.
Hospital spokesman David Bruzzese said the report shows concrete evidence that the 82-bed hospital makes every effort
to ensure safety, while an August report dealt merely with patient perception.
Twenty-eight Colorado hospitals were included in the report.
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