The Florida Hospital Association has announced results from five years of statewide quality improvement initiatives in a new report.
The report, "Five Years of Quality: Working Together to Prevent Harm, Save Lives and Reduce Costs," describes the journey of more than 160 hospitals that participated in at least one of the FHA's quality improvement programs, which included the Florida Collaborative on Reducing Hospital Readmissions, the Florida Surgical Care Initiative and initiatives to reduce bloodstream infections and urinary tract infections. Here are some key improvements achieved by the collaborative:
• From 2008 to 2010, readmissions rates in participating hospitals decreased 15 percent, preventing 1,500 readmissions and saving at least $25 million.
• In 15 months, participating hospitals reduced surgical complications 14.5 percent, preventing 165 complications, saving 89 lives and saving more than $6.67 million.
• Over two years, hospitals participating in the "On the Cusp" central line-associated bloodstream infection initiative reduced bloodstream infections 41 percent, preventing 302 infections. Hospitals participating in the "On the Cusp" catheter-associated urinary tract infection initiative decreased UTIs 37 percent. Overall, these programs saved 38 lives and reduced costs by $15.9 million.
The FHA will continue to focus on reducing patient harm and readmissions under its Partnership for Patients Hospital Engagement Network in partnership with the Health Research & Educational Trust, according to the report.
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