ICCS Founder Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, has published a new special report discussing the risks organizations take when they reduce investments in areas affecting patient safety and regulatory compliance.

The report acknowledges the importance of managing costs, and notes that tasks and services not associated with contributing to the bottom line are often targeted first for cuts.

The problem with such an approach to reducing expenses is that, as Segal says, ... "when these tasks and services concern patient safety and compliance with regulations, small financial gains are often wiped out and easily surpassed by the expenses associated with problems that develop down the road."

Such ramifications can include increasing infections, citations, fines, expenses to correct issues and declines in staff satisfaction.

Read the special report on infection prevention compliance.