What is an appropriate outcome indicator in a performance improvement process aimed at reducing healthcare-associated infections?

In the context of a performance improvement process focused on reducing healthcare-associated infections, a suitable outcome indicator is one that directly measures the effectiveness of interventions intended to lower infection rates. A decrease in the rate of infection indicates that the strategies implemented—such as improved hygiene practices, better sterilization techniques, or enhanced patient care protocols—are achieving their goal of minimizing infections within the healthcare setting.

This outcome is critical because it reflects the ultimate aim of performance improvement efforts: to improve patient safety and health outcomes by directly impacting the occurrence of infections. Monitoring infection rates provides concrete data that can inform ongoing strategies and validate the effectiveness of changes made within the healthcare environment.

The other options, while relevant to healthcare quality, do not measure the direct impact on infection rates. Increased patient satisfaction might imply patients feel better cared for, but it does not necessarily correlate with infection rates. Similarly, higher staff adherence to hand hygiene protocols is an important process indicator showing staff compliance with best practices but does not directly report on patient outcomes. Lastly, lower hospital readmission rates can indicate improved overall care but might not specifically reflect the success of efforts aimed at reducing healthcare-associated infections. Thus, focusing on the actual rate of infections provides the clearest measure of improvement in this context.