Hospital Infection, Legionella Experts Urge Hospitals to Reduce Infection, Save Costs, Save Lives

MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Two million people contract infections in United States healthcare facilities annually, adding an estimated $30 billion annually to the nation's health tab. This year alone more than 100,000 will die from these infections, the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. New York-area consumers and health officials are increasingly concerned about this issue, especially since infection rates for New York hospitals will be made public beginning in 2008.

WHAT: A March 8 half-day seminar will update hospital decision makers on the growing impact of hospital infection and steps they can take to reduce their risk and improve profitability. The media are invited. A special media briefing on the topic and its impact on patients and families is also scheduled immediately following the seminar. Phone-ins welcome. WHO: Seminar speakers: -- Betsy McCaughey, Ph.D., Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths (RID) -- Bruce Farber, M.D., Chief, Infectious Diseases, North Shore Univ. Hospital -- Janet Stout, Ph.D., Univ. of Pittsburgh, international expert in controlling infection from Legionella and other waterborne microorganisms TOPICS: Patients and families who have personal experience with hospital infection will be available for comment about the impact on their lives. After the seminar, Dr. McCaughey and Dr. Stout will hold a special briefing for the media on topics covered in the session: risks from breaks in hospital staff hygiene practices and improperly cleaned equipment, and, less widely known, vulnerability of at-risk patients to waterborne microbes. These microbes thrive in hospital water systems and cause infections through direct contact with tap water or aerosol droplets from showers. Speakers will address: -- Problem pathogens in healthcare-associated infections -- New research and compelling economic data to support prevention -- Understanding and controlling waterborne pathogens: Lessons learned from Legionella WHEN: March 8, 2007, Seminar: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Media Briefing: 12:30-1:30 p.m. WHERE: Hilton Long Island, 598 Broad Hollow Road, Melville, N.Y.

Please contact Jennifer Corrigan at 732-382-8898, jenn.corrigan@comcast.net, or Mark Coyle at 571-276-1893, COY7M@aol.com, to learn more, register and obtain the call-in number.

Organized by the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths (RID) (http://www.hospitalinfection.org/) and North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, (http://www.northshorelij.com/), the seminar is sponsored by an educational grant from Pall Medical , East Hills, NY. (http://www.pall.com/healthcarewater.asp )