In one year, Hospital Engagement Network programs that teach best practices and instill a culture of safety prevented at least 5,283 instances of patient harm in 77 hospitals across Florida.
A statewide safety collaborative among Florida hospitals prevented at least 5,283 instances of patient harm and saved $28.7 million in one year, the Florida Hospital Association said.
FHA's Hospital Engagement Network program is part of the national Partnership for Patients initiative that was created by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to improve healthcare quality.
FHA created its HEN in partnership with the American Hospital Association's Health Research and Educational Trust with an aim toward providing hospitals access to national and local educational events and a range of best practices and resources.
Between September 2015 and September 2016, 77 Florida hospitals collaborated to improve care at the bedside, eliminate care disparities, create a culture of safety for patients and caregivers and promote appropriate use of antibiotics. Participating hospitals focused on reducing infections and falls, improving medication safety, increasing safety for mothers and babies and preventing hospital readmissions.
"Florida hospitals are learning from one another and national experts to avoid complications, improve care and reduce costs through the FHA HEN," FHA President Bruce Rueben said. "Today's results mean better care for our patients and better value for our communities."
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Three Florida hospitals earned an Award of Excellence for their efforts to reduce patient harm by at least 40% and readmissions by at least 20% across all focus areas.
Those hospitals are:
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute – Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital, Miami
- DeSoto Memorial Hospital, Arcadia
- Regional General Hospital, Williston
Eight hospitals received the Significant Achievement Award for achieving 40% reduction in harm and 20% percent reduction in readmissions in at least 80% of focus areas.
Those hospitals are:
- Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, Orlando
- Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital, Cocoa Beach
- Hendry Regional Medical Center, Clewiston
- Jackson Hospital, Marianna
- Jay Hospital, Jay
- Lakeside Medical Center, Belle Glade
- Martin Medical Center, Stuart
- NCH Baker Hospital, Naples
"Working together, we've been able to achieve greater and faster improvements than we could have on our own," said Mark Faulkner, FHA board chair and president/CEO of Baptist Health Care in Pensacola. "Quality care remains central to all we do, and we look forward to continuing to partner with hospitals statewide to ensure we're doing all we can to provide the best care for our patients."
From 2012-2014, the 77 hospitals cut the rate of patient harm in half, preventing more than 27,000 instances of harm and saving $170 million over three years.