Across the United States, hospital acquired infections result in 100,000 deaths each year. Because an infection can be a devastating outcome for a
surgical patient, infection prevention and control at ELIH is a priority.

In both 2009 and 2010, the New York State Department of Health shared data from all hospitals across the state. The infection rate at ELIH is below
the state average.“Infection prevention and control is practiced at every level of patient care – from washing hands to maintaining
a clean and safe environment in the operating room and the entire hospital,” states Pat McArdle, Infection Control Coordinator.

The following factors contribute to the low infection rate at ELIH:
• Surgery. Surgical procedures are performed skillfully and quickly, with an average surgical time of 1.5 hours. The shorter the surgery, the
less chance there is for infection.
• Anesthesia. The technique of regional anesthesia has been shown to reduce bleeding, minimize post-operative pain, and shorten surgical time.
Most importantly, the use of regional anesthesia, a technique utilized at ELIH, reduces surgical infections by 50%.
• Each operating room is equipped with a high-tech air filtration system designed especially for surgery. Air flow is directed away
from the operation, reducing the risk of infection, as it simultaneously cleanses and replenishes the air.
• Surgeons and OR Personnel wear specially-designed protective suits to maintain the strictest sterile environment in the OR.
• Hand hygiene. Scrubbing hands before administering care is still one of the best ways to prevent infection and keep you safe while
you’re in the hospital.
• Receiving antibiotics prior to surgery. One important way to prevent infection is to administer the right antibiotic at the right time
before surgery.

“While we are proud of our lowinfection rate and the effects of our current anti-infection program, we continually strive to improve practices that control
infection for optimal patient outcomes,” adds Paul J. Connor, III, President/CEO.