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Rochester General Hospital Wins Healthcare Association of New York State’s Pinnacle Award for Quality BOLTON LANDING, N.Y. — The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) last night awarded its fifth annual Pinnacle Award for Quality Improvement to Rochester General Hospital for a project that significantly reduced hospital infection rates. HANYS also awarded two Honorable Mentions. Ideal Senior Living Center, Endicott, received an Honorable Mention for a program that reduced pressure ulcer rates among residents from 22% to 1%. Stony Brook University Hospital received an Honorable Mention for a program that reduced the time it takes staff to treat heart attack patients. The awards were announced at HANYS’ 37th Annual Membership Conference at The Sagamore on Lake George in Bolton Landing. Rochester General took a successful program that reduced central line-infections among its intensive care patients (ICU) and expanded it to the rest of the hospital. The program produced ongoing, sustainable reductions in the hospital’s central line, catheter-associated infection rates. In 2002, Rochester General Hospital averaged 6.9 catheter-associated infections per 1,000 line days. In 2003, after the program was implemented, the rate dropped to 2.2 per 1,000 line days, a 72% reduction. In addition to reducing infections among patients, the program saved money. The hospital estimates that the program reduced costs between $400,000 and $1.7 million. Rochester General Hospital calls its program From Evidence to Implementation: Organization-Wide Project to Reduce Central Line Catheter-Associated Infections. The Honorable Mention awarded to Ideal Senior Living Center recognized a multi-disciplinary program that used education, training, and monitoring to reduce surface pressure ulcers. The nursing home used a variety of tools to identify and treat pressure ulcers before they could become more serious wounds. The tools included a digital camera, regular patient observation, nutritional and lab assessments, and a whirlpool. From 2002 to 2004, the pressure ulcer recurrence rate dropped from 22% to 1%. The center called its program Excellence in Practice: Prevention and Reduction of Pressure Ulcers. Stony Brook University Hospital’s Honorable Mention recognized a program that provides early care for heart attack victims. After reviewing “door-to-balloon” times for victims of acute myocardial infection, the hospital designed a system that allows physicians to order emergency treatments before a heart attack victim arrives at the hospital. The program significantly reduced waiting time. Stony Brook University Hospital called its program Improving Door-to-Balloon Time for Acute Myocardial Infarction with a Code H Team. HANYS created the Pinnacle Award for Quality Improvement to recognize member hospitals and health care system that significantly improve the health and safety of their patients. HANYS shares these “best practices” with its entire membership. A panel of national experts in quality improvement and patient safety judges all entries, looking at such factors as outcomes, cost feasibility, and relevance for other organizations. HANYS represents more than 550 non-profit and public hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, and other health care organizations throughout New York State. -30- |
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