Oct 19, 2018 Jersey City Medical Center’s NICU Reaches 5-Year “CLABSI-Free” Milestone of Zero Cases of Bloodstream Infection Associated with Central Line in Infants

Jersey City, NJ – On Saturday, October 13, Jersey City Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, reached a critical medical milestone in its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). From 2014-2018, the hospital’s NICU has been “CLABSI-free,” sustaining zero cases of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). CLABSI is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality for infants, a population specifically susceptible to infections because of immature immune system.

Jersey City Medical Center is a state-designated regional perinatal center. The hospital’s NICU is the only Level 3 and the highest level NICU in Hudson County. In the 5-year CLABSI-free period, the NICU cared for more than 1,500 infants. The hospital also has of one of the state’s only NicView™ system – an innovative webcam system, which offers secure viewing of NICU to families worldwide.

“Jersey City Medical Center is proud of this achievement, and of our entire Maternal, Child Health and NICU team,” said Michael Prilutsky, President & CEO. “Our goal is always to provide the highest level of safety and care to all our patients, especially to the most vulnerable ones in our care.”

Since 2011, neonatal intensive care units in nine States have participated in a national, neonatal CLABSI reduction project as part of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) national effort to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections in U.S. hospitals.

As an active unit of the Vermont Oxford Network (VON), a nonprofit voluntary collaboration of health care professionals working together to change the landscape of neonatal care, the hospital benchmarks CLABSI’s, comparing 26 NICU’s in New Jersey, which drives initiatives to reduce infections and mirror AHRQ’s efforts. JCMC’s NICU developed a comprehensive policy and procedure, and implemented policies from the VON collaborative.

About Jersey City Medical Center: The Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is a modern 316-bed teaching hospital located on a campus overlooking the Statue of Liberty and NY Harbor. The medical center is conveniently located near major highways, PATH, bus and light rail stops on campus. JCMC is a state-designated Regional Trauma Center with more than 16,000 admissions and 90,000 Emergency Department visits annually. JCMC, a not-for-profit hospital, has received the highest-grade level “A” for safety score for reporting period from 2012-2017. Also, a state-designated stroke center, a regional comprehensive cardiac center, a perinatal intensive care center, and a regional level 3 neonatal intensive care unit for critically ill newborns. JCMC, a provider of Advanced Life Support for Hudson County, provides 911 Medical Call Screening for Hudson County and operates one of the state’s busiest EMS systems. Jersey City Medical Center also is a major provider of behavioral health services, including 24/7 psychiatric emergency/crisis screening programs. The hospital has been awarded the Magnet Certification for Nursing Excellence for third consecutive time making JCMC the only medical center in Hudson, Essex or Union counties to achieve this honor.

Contact:
Veronica Lavarro
201-912-5143
Veronica.Lavarro@rwjbh.org