The Kentucky Hospital Association is teaming up with hospitals across the state to reduce the rate of blood stream infections, such as MRSA.

Many of the infections are caused by medical devices and surgical procedures.

Creating a safe hospital environment requires many elements.

However, health officials say there is one thing we can all do to keep ourselves healthy.

“The one most important is to wash our hands. So hand hygiene is the number one,” Terresa Booher said.

The Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program, also known as CUSP, focuses on teaching hospital employees ways to eliminate blood stream infections within the ICU.

Highland Regional Medical Center officials say that they've had no cases of infections since they started tracking them in 2005.

But this doesn't mean they're backing down on safety.

Officials say they believe being proactive will help assure the protection of their patients.

“Health care related infections are a big issue across the nation and we want to be a part of eliminating those issues,” Booher said.

Kentucky Hospital Association officials say having a comprehensive "team approach" throughout hospitals will help create a "harm free" patient care culture.

Thirty-nine Kentucky hospitals have committed two years to the national initiative.