This section shows certain injuries, infections, or other serious conditions that patients got while they were in the hospital. These conditions, also known as “Hospital Acquired Conditions,” are usually very rare. If they ever occur, hospital staff should identify and correct the problems that caused them.
This information can be found at Hospital Compare
Influenza Vaccination
Since 2010, being immunized for influenza is a condition of employment for Altru employees unless they have a medical or religious reason. Preventing influenza in healthcare workers helps protects patients, especially those who can't get a flu shot or who aren't well protected by vaccination. Reducing the risk of exposure to influenza while in our care is important.
Hand Hygiene Compliance
Hand hygiene is critical to reduce transmission of infection in hospitals. Based on the World Health Organization’s criteria, a perfect hand hygiene score is 100%, based on direct observation of healthcare workers. Altru’s patient care areas regularly monitor hand hygiene compliance, employing a wide variety of strategies to reach a high level of hand hygiene compliance.
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood and not enough in the cells of your body. This can interfere with your body's ability to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life.
Altru Clinic Crookston and Family Medicine are noted to be in the highest performing group for Optimal Diabetes Care.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Blood pressure is the force of blood against artery walls as it circulates through the body. Blood pressure rises and falls during the day. When blood pressure stays elevated over time, it is called high blood pressure. High blood pressure makes the heart work too hard.
Vascular Disease
Vascular disease is any condition that affects the heart or blood vessels (veins and arteries that transport blood through the body). Vascular disease can lead to hardening or clogging of the arteries, which can limit the heart’s ability to supply oxygen and nutrients to your body.
Altru Clinic Crookston and Main(Internal Medicine) are noted to be in the highest performing group for Optimal Vascular Care.
Breast Cancer
Current guidelines from the American College of Radiology and the Society for Breast Imaging recommend that women receive annual mammograms starting at age 40. Numerous studies have shown that getting a mammogram and a breast exam reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer. Breast cancers found during a mammogram are more likely to be smaller and still confined to the breast. Finding breast cancer early can improve the chances that breast cancer can be treated successfully and with more treatment options, less extensive surgery, and ultimately, better treatment outcomes.
Colorectal Cancer
Cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer) usually develops slowly, over several years. Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Due to advancements in detection and treatment, colorectal cancer death rate has been dropping for more than 20 years. When detected early, it’s treatable. If individuals have a family history of colon cancer or polyps, regular screenings should happen earlier than age 50. For those with no family history, colonoscopies are recommended once a decade after age 50.
Altru Clinic Erskine has shown consistent improvement in our colorectal screening over the past three years.
