QIOs in Action

HHS Launches Partnership for Patients: Better Care, Lower Costs

Partnership for Patients, a national patient safety campaign launched in April of 2011, is spreading across America and gaining momentum to make hospital care safer, more reliable and less costly. Already more than 3,000 partners, including over 1,500 hospitals as well as physicians and nurses groups, consumer groups and employers have pledged their commitment to the campaign. Learn how you can join the effort to help eliminate preventable harm to patients at: http://www.healthcare.gov/center/programs/partnership/join/index.html

Eight Care Transitions QIOs Publish Best Practices in the Remington Report

The past seven issues of the Remington Report, a bi-monthly healthcare magazine, include eight separate articles on implementation strategies and best practices from QIOs participating in the Care Transitions Theme. The QIOs publishing articles include Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Texas.  To view the articles: http://www.cfmc.org/caretransitions/

Qualis Health Recognized for Quality Improvement in Washington

Qualis Health, the Medicare QIO for Idaho and Washington, was honored as the winner of the Washington State Quality Award (WSQA), Leadership Level, at the annual Washington State Quality Award Symposium. Qualis Health was recognized for its commitment in delivering outstanding care and timely service, and for being a trustworthy leader in fiscal governance and social responsibility. This is the second Washington State Quality Award that Qualis Health has received.

Six Hospitals and Health Systems Partner with Dartmouth on Quality Collaborative

According to Modern Healthcare, six hospitals and health systems are partnering with the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice in an effort to “quicken the pace of health care quality improvement for the country.” The group is reportedly using rapid-action methods to determine best care practices and will share them with interested parties nationwide. It is currently looking at total knee replacement surgery; next year participants will evaluate best practices for diabetes and heart failure.

Ohio Patient Safety Program Receives DHHS Recognition

A patient safety initiative in Ohio that produced significant reductions in infections and costs has received the recognition of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Secretary Kathleen Sebelius cited Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus for targeting hand hygiene and cleaning the access points of catheters. Their program, known as Solutions for Patient Safety, also has spread its best practices to other facilities.