Doing it right means a laser focus on improving patient care and outcomes, every day, without exception. Over the past two years, CHI has accomplished double-digit improvement in both quality and safety. In 2016, health care quality improved 15% over baseline and health care safety improved 67% over baseline. And in 2017, quality improved 34% over baseline and safety improved 75% over baseline. This fast-track success comes through our principles of alignment, action, accountability and constancy of purpose, and includes these key activities:
Here are just a few areas where we have made great strides in ensuring patients are safe and outcomes are as expected.
Preventing the occurrence of:
One of the major safety needs in hospitals nationwide is improving blood transfusion practices. That’s why CHI has created a Patient Blood Management Task Force. Together they are standardizing our transfusion medicine procedures, educating physicians, and developing algorithms to guide treatment decisions. In many cases, our evidence-based guidelines show that reducing blood use actually improves outcomes and saves lives. Our hematologists are receiving extra training, and specific guidelines are in place for patients who have conditions like chronic low blood counts or kidney disease.
To date we are:
Developing data-driven standard protocols
Building patient-centric approaches
Consulting the entire patient care team
Committed to an ongoing and evolving process
In keeping with our commitment to exceptional patient care and safety, we developed the nation’s first Specialty Privileging Program. Our team of over 1,800 advanced practice clinicians is now engaged to observe, mentor and monitor low to high-risk clinical procedures. This helps ensure exceptional standards based on clinical research, leading practices and professional consultations.
The existence of a comprehensive privileging process is important in providing exquisite care to our patients. I believe our approach will soon be emulated across the nation.
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