Take Aim Program

Take Aim Program
Target infection. Improve patient protection.
The Ethicon Take Aim Program is designed to help health care providers implement
evidence-based practices that address known risks for surgical site infections (SSIs)
and bloodstream infections (BSIs) through the appropriate utilization of Ethicon devices.
Annual cost of HAIs
Up to
VAP †
CLABSI*
CAUTI‡
C difficile
SSI
20,785 SSI
45,814 CLABSI*
Treatment costs ($)
Why addressing risks for SSIs and BSIs is important
On a per-case basis, CLABSIs
and SSIs are among the most costly
health care–associated infections (HAIs)1
VAP†
C difficile
CAUTI‡
SSIs and CLABSIs account for more than
50% of the total annual costs associated
with the most common HAIs1
6%
reimbursement
at risk
By FY 2017, pay-for-performance
programs under the ACA§ will put up
to 6% of a facility’s inpatient Medicare
reimbursement at risk2,3
How the Ethicon Take Aim Program can help
The Ethicon Take Aim Program can help a hospital strengthen its quality-improvement
initiatives by providing tools to:
• Establish policies and procedures to address known risks for SSIs and BSIs
• Strengthen compliance with industry best practices and evidence-based guidelines
• Conduct assessments of risk-reduction programs, including appropriate device usage
The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals 07.04.01 and 07.05.01 assess a
facility’s evidence-based policies and practices aimed at reducing the risk of BSIs and SSIs 4
*CLABSI = Central-line–associated bloodstream infection.
†VAP = Ventilator-associated pneumonia.
‡CAUTI = Catheter-associated urinary tract infection.
§ACA = Affordable Care Act.
Advantage: Take Aim
Defend against HAIs. Enhance outcomes.
The Ethicon Take Aim program provides clinical training and education resources to support the safe
and efficacious use of Ethicon evidence-supported devices in your facility.
Getting started: Take Aim Program process and tools
Step 1: Discuss your hospital’s infection-prevention goals
Step 2: Ethicon and your hospital conduct risk assessment of Ethicon device utilization
to identify potential gaps in current infection prevention practices or education
Step 3: Your hospital receives customized recommendations based on risk-assessment findings
Step 4: Ethicon and your hospital implement programs to train staff on Ethicon tools available
to control risks for infection and/or engage patients on their role in infection prevention
Step 5: Ongoing monitoring to measure improvement in clinical practices and compliance with facility goals related to deployment of Ethicon devices
To learn more about the Ethicon Take Aim Program, please contact your Ethicon Strategic
Accounts Director or call 1-877-ETHICON.
References: 1. Zimlichman E, Henderson D, Tamir O, et al. Health care–associated infections: a meta-analysis of costs and financial impact on the US health care
system. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173:2039–2046. 2. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Press release: CMS issues proposed hospital inpatient payment
regulation. www.cms.gov. Accessed August 15, 2014. 3. Frequently asked questions about hospital value-based purchasing program [press release]. Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services; April 30, 2014. 4. The Joint Commission. 2014 national patient safety goals effective January 1, 2014. Chicago, iL: The Joint
Commission; 2013.
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