What is a key component of the rationale for Goal 7?

Goal 7 of the National Patient Safety Goals focuses on reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). This goal is critical because HAIs can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. By addressing HAIs, healthcare organizations strive to implement evidence-based practices aimed at infection prevention, such as hand hygiene, appropriate use of antibiotics, and effective sterilization and disinfection protocols.

Targeting the reduction of HAIs directly improves patient safety and outcomes, which is central to providing high-quality healthcare. This goal emphasizes the healthcare system's role in protecting patients from preventable infections that may occur during their interactions with the medical environment. By ensuring that healthcare facilities adopt measures to prevent these infections, patients are more likely to experience safer treatment and recovery processes.

In contrast, reducing patient waiting time, improving communication among healthcare providers, and enhancing technology in patient monitoring, while important aspects of overall healthcare quality, do not specifically address the significant risks posed by infections acquired within healthcare settings.