MARCH 2005
Volume 29 • No. 3

 

February Highlights of Performance Improvement at SHC

Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Committee
chaired by Joseph Hopkins, associate chief of staff

Pressure Ulcer Treatment Team
The pressure ulcer task force has developed algorithms that will guide staff in correct use of specialty beds and the use of other strategies to prevent and treat pressure ulcers.
A monthly prevalence survey of pressure ulcers was done for all E2 and NICU patients in January.
Training of staff has begun using a "train the trainer" format scheduled for completion in April.

Culture of Safety Committee restructuring and enhancement
The committee membership will include physicians, senior leadership and line staff.
The committee will have three subcommittees that will focus on education/ training/competencies and reviewing aggregate data to determine priorities for organizational improvement in safety.
The committee will meet quarterly starting in March and report to the QIPSC.
The QIPSC recommended:

- Chief residents be included in membership.
- The committee use any available literature on cultural implications that relate to reporting of events.

AHRQ [federal Agency for Health-care Research and Quality] - Failure to Rescue [FTR] project

Edward Damrose, assistant professor of otolaryngology, provided an overview of stated goals related to this project:
To investigate the clinical and operational dynamics involved in the FTR process.
To explore the clinical and operational components of care delivered to patients at risk for complications associated with hospitalization.
To evaluate the use of processes for prevention, early recognition and diagnosis, rapid intervention and emergency rescue.
To identify focal areas where opportunity for improvement exists.
To investigate and share successful strategies for achieving best practice.

IHI 100,000 lives Campaign

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement [IHI] has begun a Patient Safety Campaign designed to save 100,000 lives in 2005 and 2006. The campaign addresses six specific improvement initiatives:
Acute MI care
Prevent ventilator associated pneumonia
Deploy rapid response teams
Prevent central line associated infections
Prevent ADEs
Prevent Surgical Site Infections

THE QIPSC recommended forming a core group comprised of key stakeholders who have investigated the work in progress on the six measures. The group would then make a recommendation to the QIPSC.

Outpatient facility planned for Redwood City in 2007

Robbins chairs cardiothoracic surgery, dean lauds Reitz

Hollywood legacy clarifies diagnostic studies

'Stanfordmed' axes 'medcenter' in e-mails

Some orthopedic services move

Micromedex, Carenotes link changes

Funds flow work group recommends reimbursement plan

Upcoming Research Opportunities for Residents and Fellows