North Alabama Medical Center (NAMC) has earned a prestigious accolade from Becker’s Hospital Review for achieving an impressive milestone: a zero infection rate for catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). This remarkable achievement is particularly noteworthy, as it is based on federal healthcare data, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to patient safety and quality care.
In Alabama, only eight hospitals reported zero cases of CAUTI during the latest reporting period, as indicated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). On a national scale, this accomplishment is even more significant, with only 514 hospitals out of more than 6,000 across the country achieving the same outstanding result.
The data that led to this recognition was gathered from July 2023 to June 2024 and was last updated on April 30. It comes from the Healthcare Associated Infections-Hospital database, which employs infection tracking measures established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These measures are reported through the National Healthcare Safety Network, ensuring a comprehensive overview of infection rates.
CAUTI rates are a critical component of the metrics used to assess infection control practices in acute care hospitals. These metrics encompass patients of all ages, including those in adult, pediatric, and neonatal units, as well as both Medicare and non-Medicare patients. The CDC utilizes a standardized infection ratio that considers various factors, including hospital size, patient health status, and whether the institution is affiliated with a medical school.
NAMC’s achievement places it among the elite hospitals in the nation regarding infection prevention. It stands out as one of only ten facilities within Lifepoint Health—a network comprising 63 community hospitals—to receive this distinguished recognition. This honor underscores NAMC’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of healthcare and patient safety.