News Release
Media ContactS:
ENloe Medical Center
Christina Chavira
Communications Specialist
530.332.5589 - office
christina.chavira@enloe.org
Enloe recognizes success of patient quality and safety initiatives
CHICO, Calif., April 12, 2010 – Over the past year, Enloe Medical Center enhanced its efforts related to the reduction or elimination of hospital-associated conditions, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia and hospital-acquired infections. “In the past, it was often considered routine that certain hospital-acquired conditions would occur,” explains Enloe’s Chief of Staff, Forrest Olson, M.D. “At Enloe, we’ve committed to the ideal that many infections or conditions associated with a hospital stay can be eliminated altogether or dramatically reduced. We’re paying close attention to clinical studies that challenge past practices.”
Nearly 30 informational displays have been reviewed at Enloe Medical Center summarizing patient quality and safety initiatives from throughout the medical center. These poster presentations will be part of Enloe’s second annual Quality Summit for medical staff and employees on April 13. The Quality Summit is a cornerstone of the medical center’s overall plan to improve the quality and safety of patient care. As a Level II Trauma Center and regional referral center, Enloe cares for patients who often require complex treatment involving multiple physician specialists and a variety of technological interventions.
Participants in the 2009 Quality Summit recognized that the decisions made at the summit would mark renewed emphasis on evidence-based, best-practice elements that are incorporated into all aspects of care. Enloe’s Vice President of Medical Affairs, Marcia Nelson, M.D., explains, “Enloe challenges the belief that infections are inherent with some treatments.”
Key to the success of the medical center’s quality initiatives is physician leadership. Ten physician champions volunteer their time to assure the success of these initiatives, and through their leadership the five quality initiatives became “standard of care” in less than a year. These initiatives are standards that have been shown nationally to improve the care delivered to patients. Enloe’s five quality initiatives from 2009 are:
- Decrease the risk of pneumonia related to ventilator use. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the second most common hospital-associated infection in this country and a leading cause of death due to hospital-associated infections. Nationwide, 22.8 percent of patients on ventilators develop pneumonia , with some hospitals reporting ventilator-associated pneumonia rates as high as 65 percent . Enloe has had no cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia since October 2009.
- Implement best practices and standardize care for patients with sepsis. Sepsis is a bloodstream infection that is one of the leading causes of death among hospitalized patients in the United States. The survival rate for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock has been dramatically improved at Enloe Medical Center. At the end of 2009, the sepsis survival rate was 86 percent at Enloe, compared to a national survival rate of 71.4 percent.
- Implement an expanded surgical checklist. A recent national study shows that hospitals using the surgical checklist decreased the incidence of deaths and complications by more than one third. The study went on to indicate that inpatient deaths following major operations fell by more than 40 percent with implementation of the checklist. Enloe Medical Center was one of the first hospitals in the country to participate in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s National
Sprint Challenge for implementation of the World Health Organization’s surgical checklist. Enloe is currently using the surgical checklist in 98 percent of surgical cases.
- Decrease the risk of infections related to urinary catheters. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common type of health care-associated infection, accounting for more than 30 percent of all infections reported by acute care hospitals. Urinary drainage systems, or urinary catheters, are often reservoirs for multidrug-resistant bacteria and a source of transmission to other patients. The national average for catheter-associated urinary tract infections as reported by the National Healthcare Safety Network is 4.4 infections per 1,000 catheter days. Enloe’s catheter-associated UTI rate has decreased by 74 percent, from 4.3 per 1,000 catheter days, to 1.13 per 1,000 catheter days.
- Decrease the risk of blood clots for hospitalized patients. A condition known as venous thromboembolism, or VTE, is a preventable condition, and Enloe is committed to reducing the danger for our patients through our use of best practices. These consist of a standardized risk assessment for patients and a review of all patients admitted or re-admitted with the condition.
The poster presentations are a new component of the Quality Summit. They represent 27 quality improvement projects from all areas of the hospital, both clinical and non-clinical. They share stories of engaged professionals who are improving the health of our patients and community. Another highlight of the April 13 Quality Summit will be the presentation of the 2010 Quality Summit Award, given to an outstanding team at Enloe whose work has truly made a difference to our patients. In addition, new quality initiatives will be added to our present list of five initiatives.
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Enloe Medical Center is a local, nonprofit health care organization. For more information, please call 530/332-7300 or visit us online at http://www.enloe.org. Enloe Medical Center is located at 1531 Esplanade Chico, Calif. 95926.
Augustyn, Beth: “Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: Risk Factors and Prevention,” Critical Care Nurse. 27: 32-39, 2007
Ferrer, R., Artigas, A., et al: “Improvement in Process of Care and Outcome After a Multicenter Severe Sepsis Educational Program in Spain,” JAMA. 2008;299(19):2294-2303.
Haynes, A., Weiser, T., et al.: “A Surgical Safety Checklist to Reduce Morbidity and Mortality in a Global Population,” New England Journal of Medicine. 360:491-499, 2009
Edwards, J. R., Peterson, K. D., et al: National Heathcare Safety Network (NHDN) Report: Data summary for 2006 through 2008, issued December 2009. American Journal of Infection Control. 37 (10), 738-870.
Enloe is a SAFE SURRENDER SITE.