AHRQ Reports a Decline in Hospital-Acquired Conditions; Estimates 8,000 Lives and $2.9B Saved

From 2014 through 2016, hospital-acquired conditions declined by 8%, according to the most recent National Scorecard on Hospital-Acquired Conditions from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The decline represents an estimated 8,000 lives saved and $2.9 billion therefore not spent on related healthcare costs, according to a June 5, 2018, news release by AHRQ. The 8% decline in hospital-acquired conditions represents an estimated 350,000 occurrences, and includes a 15% decline in infections and adverse drug events.