Shadyside Hospital Foundation

When blood flow to a part of the brain stops because of a blood clot, plaque, or bleeding. Stroke is also known as a “brain attack.”

A care location that provides a skilled level of care to its patients. Residents live in nursing homes which may offer SNF and intermediate levels of care, as well as hospice, etc.

See HAI for more information about surgical site infections.

A serious event is an event, occurrence, or situation involving the clinical care of a patient in a medical facility that results in death or compromises patient safety and results in an unanticipated injury requiring the delivery of additional health care services to the patient. The term does not include an Incident.

A life-threatening whole-body inflammation caused by an infection in the bloodstream. The infection can be caused by a variety of bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites in the blood, urinary tract, lungs, skin or other tissues.

An unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical/psychological injury, or risk thereof. Serious injury specifically includes loss of limb or function.

CMS created the Five-Star Quality Rating system to help consumers, their families and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily and to help identify areas about which you may want to ask questions.

A summary measure used to track HAIs at a national, state or local level over time. The SIR adjusts for the fact that each healthcare facility treats different types of patients. For example, the experience with HAIs at a hospital with a large burn unit (a location where patients are more at risk of acquiring infections) cannot be directly compared to a facility without a burn unit.

The involuntary confinement of a patient alone in a room or area from which the patient is physically prevented from leaving. Seclusion may only be used for the management of violent or self-destructive behavior.

Care measures that are specifically associated with patients who have had certain surgical interventions as outlined by the CMS regulations. The reportable indicators for these measures are considered best practices for improving patient outcomes.