LITTLE ROCK -- Over the course of an intensive 12-month effort, 2,950 patient harms were prevented in 48 Arkansas hospitals participating in a national hospital quality improvement effort, with associated cost savings of nearly $27 million. Siloam Springs Regional Hospital was a proud member of the hospital quality improvement team.
"Participation in the Hospital Engagement Network was a multidisciplinary team effort that resulted in improved processes that contribute to the safety and quality of care we provide," said Whitney Tolbert, director of quality management and regulatory compliance at Siloam Springs Regional Hospital. "The networking and resources made available through the hospital's participation are invaluable."
According to results recently released by the American Hospital Association Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET), Hospital Engagement Network (HEN) and the Arkansas Hospital Association HEN, these hospitals are making great progress on the journey to improve patient care. Arkansas was one of 33 states participating in the AHA/HRET HEN which overall has prevented 34,442 harms and resulted in more than $288 million in cost savings.
HENs identify best practices proven to reduce hospital-acquired conditions and spread them to other hospitals and health care providers. These networks are a key element of the national Partnership for Patients campaign to improve the quality, safety and affordability of health care.
"The commitment and passion we have seen from our hospitals to their patients and their communities contributes to these results," said Pam Brown, vice president of quality and patient safety at the Arkansas Hospital Association. Brown went on to say, "We still have work to do and as health care becomes more complex, we have to create systems which result in the best outcomes."
The Arkansas hospitals have been participating in the second phase of this national quality improvement effort, dubbed HEN 2.0, which closed Sept. 23. HEN 1.0 was in action from December 2011to December 2014, with 40 Arkansas hospitals participating. HEN 2.0 targeted care improvements in 11 areas, including prevention of hospital-acquired infections or conditions, falls, early elective infant deliveries and preventable re-admissions.
Hospitals associated with the Arkansas Hospital Association's HEN received technical assistance, educational opportunities, training, resources and the ability to participate in learning collaboratives to make progress in the hospital quality of care arena.
For more information on the Arkansas HEN and proposed upcoming national quality improvement efforts, please contact Pam Brown, vice president, quality and patient safety, Arkansas Hospital Association, at 501-224-7878, or [email protected]. For information on Siloam Springs Regional Hospital's quality improvement efforts, contact Whitney Tolbert, director of quality management & regulatory compliance, at 479-215-3106.
About Siloam Springs Regional Hospital
Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is a 73 licensed-bed facility with 42 private patient rooms. It is accredited by the State of Arkansas Department of Health Services and The Joint Commission. Some services include inpatient and outpatient surgery, emergency medicine, medical, surgical and intensive care units, obstetrics, outpatient diagnostic services and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. With more than 30 physicians on the medical staff, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital provides compassionate, customer-focused care. SSRH is an affiliate of Northwest Health, one of the largest health networks in Northwest Arkansas. The facility is located at 603 N. Progress Ave.in Siloam Springs. For more information, visit SSRH.net.
Community on 01/18/2017