ST. LOUIS, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — A study
published in the journal Health Affairs documents Ascension
Health, the nation’s third-largest health system, has achieved
remarkable results in eliminating preventable mortality, lowering
birth trauma rates, reducing bed sores and keeping patients safe.
In 2003, Ascension Health set a bold goal of eliminating
preventable injuries and deaths. Ascension Health has seen
consistent improvement over the eight years it has had an
intensified focus on improving quality of care.
The study,
“The Quality ‘Journey’ at Ascension Health: How We’ve Prevented At
Least 1,500 Avoidable Deaths A Year—And Aim To Do Even
Better,” appears in the April issue of Health Affairs.
It shows that, compared to national averages, Ascension
Health has achieved the following:
- 25% lower mortality
- 65% fewer birth traumas
- 89% lower neonatal mortality rates
- 94% lower in hospital-acquired pressure ulcers
- 74% lower in ventilator-associated pneumonia
- 43% lower in central-line blood stream infections
“The pioneering work undertaken by Ascension Health has helped
lead the nation in establishing a safer environment in America’s
hospitals,” said Maureen Bisognano, President and CEO, Institute
for Healthcare Improvement. “A true sign of leadership has
been Ascension Health’s willingness to share their learnings and
experiences with other hospitals. The best practices
developed at Ascension Health are now in place in hospitals across
the country.”
David Pryor, MD, chief medical officer for Ascension Health and
lead author of the report, participated in a panel discussion this
morning organized by Health Affairs and the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation in Washingto
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