Thursday, March 26, 2015

GRMC Receives Statewide Award for Patient Safety Achievements

Outstanding work in reducing early elective infant deliveries at Grinnell Regional Medical Center has garnered the medical center the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative’s (IHC) patient safety award for reducing hospital acquired conditions. The 2015 IHC Patient Safety Awards were featured at the statewide Patient Safety Conference on March 12 at The Meadows Events and Conference Center in Altoona.
A team of physicians and obstetrical nurses worked to implement the “39 Week” rule for infant deliveries that significantly decreased the risk of adverse effects for infants and mothers. GRMC’s policy is that there will be no elective induction of labor or C-sections prior to 39 weeks in pregnancy unless the health of the mother or child is at risk.
The concept of not allowing elective deliveries before 39 weeks is an inexpensive, easy intervention to make our patients healthier. Led by our OB nurse manager, Sheryl Baarda, the physicians and staff implemented processes to prevent these early elective deliveries,” says Laura Ferguson, MD, Family Medicine, and chair of the GRMC Medical Staff Obstetrics Committee. “Our entire team is delighted to see the improved outcomes for our moms and babies – fewer inductions, fewer cesarean sections, and fewer transfers of newborns.”
The IHC Patient Safety Awards are presented to healthcare providers and/or healthcare organizations who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in patient safety. The Patient Safety Award aims to raise the standard of healthcare in Iowa by promoting a culture of continuous improvement in quality, safety, and value.
This award honors patient safety champions that support the following initiatives: improve patient safety; reduce the risk of harm; and keep patients at the center of care.
 “We’re very proud of the work being done in Iowa,” says Tom Evans, MD, president and CEO of IHC. “Patient safety is about eliminating unintended consequences of medical care. This award allows us to highlight some of the best efforts in our state as we work toward our vision of delivering the most effective and efficient health care in the nation.”
Stewart Memorial Hospital in Lake City, Iowa, garnered the Patient Safety Grand Prize award. It was recognized for development of a transition coach project to share patient information across the care continuum and created a team that includes the quality advisor, director of nursing, health coaches, and clinic nursing supervisor, emergency room nurses, and home care nurses. 
Four categorical award recipients were also announced:
Fort Madison Community Hospital (Patient and Family Engagement Award)
Grinnell Regional Medical Center (Hospital Acquired Conditions Award)
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (Health Care – Associated Infections Award)
Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames (Improving Culture of Safety/Safety Across the Board)
###

The Iowa Healthcare Collaborative (IHC) is a provider-led and patient-focused nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a culture of continuous improvement in healthcare. IHC's mission is exceptional healthcare in Iowa.  IHC plays a unique role in putting healthcare providers (doctors, nurses and hospital executives) in a leadership position to drive clinical improvements and accelerate change.  By encouraging communication, collaboration and transparency, IHC ultimately raises the quality, patient safety and value of healthcare in Iowa.


Photo Cutline: GRMC staff were honored during the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative’s Patient Safety Awards ceremony in Des Moines on March 12. From left, Tom Evans, president and CEO of the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative presented the award to Doris Rindels, GRMC vice president, and Sheryl Baarda, nurse manager at the Kintzinger Women’s Health Center. 

No comments:

Post a Comment