Collaborative care saves Tenn. providers $11M, makes them safer
A well-coordinated effort has protected patients across Tennessee from untold pain and suffering over three recent years—and saved 122 hospitals in that state an estimated $11 million, collectively, in avoided hospital infections and surgical complications.
The effort, led by a group called the Tennessee Center for Patient Safety, resulted in the hospitals seeing 36 percent fewer central-line infections for a savings of approximately $4.8 million, a 21 percent lower incidence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) good for around $2 million and a $4.5 million improvement, estimated, in complications from surgery.
To achieve the exemplary results, the center pulled together the Tennessee Hospital Association, the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation and 122 hospitals across the state, according to a release.
Tennessee is “among the best in the nation at engaging hospitals and taking action to achieve continuous learning and patient safety improvement,” said safety advocate Peter J. Pronovost, MD, director of the Johns Hopkins Quality and Safety Research Institute in Baltimore. He lauded the patient safety center for “consistently challenging Tennessee's hospitals to build on the progress that has already been made.”
Some 94 percent of acute care hospitals in the state participate in one or more of the center’s initiatives.
For more on the Tennessee Center for Patient Safety, click here.
The effort, led by a group called the Tennessee Center for Patient Safety, resulted in the hospitals seeing 36 percent fewer central-line infections for a savings of approximately $4.8 million, a 21 percent lower incidence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) good for around $2 million and a $4.5 million improvement, estimated, in complications from surgery.
To achieve the exemplary results, the center pulled together the Tennessee Hospital Association, the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation and 122 hospitals across the state, according to a release.
Tennessee is “among the best in the nation at engaging hospitals and taking action to achieve continuous learning and patient safety improvement,” said safety advocate Peter J. Pronovost, MD, director of the Johns Hopkins Quality and Safety Research Institute in Baltimore. He lauded the patient safety center for “consistently challenging Tennessee's hospitals to build on the progress that has already been made.”
Some 94 percent of acute care hospitals in the state participate in one or more of the center’s initiatives.
For more on the Tennessee Center for Patient Safety, click here.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.