After a labor union ran ads criticizing Stanford (Calif.) Health Care's patient safety record in March, Hospital Quality Institute President and CEO Julie Morath, BSN, RN, argues the health system's three hospitals are using the best practices, technology and training for infection prevention and control, according to a Palo Alto Daily Post op-ed.
Based in Sacarmento, Calif., the Hospital Quality Institute was developed to help improve patient safety and care quality for the California Hospital Association, Hospital Council, Hospital Association of Southern California and the Hospital Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties.
"While it is unfortunate that any organization would play politics with a hospital's reputation and focus on patient safety, the situation presents an opportunity to share the great work that goes on every day by well-trained, committed hospital professionals including physicians, nurses and housekeeping staff at Stanford Health Care," Ms. Morath wrote.
Here are four insights from the op-ed.
1. At Stanford alone, reduction in Clostridium difficile infections and urinary catheter-associated infections showed improvement by over 10 percent during the past year, Ms. Morath wrote.
2. Additionally, Ms. Morath noted Stanford Health Care-ValleyCare did not have any cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus over the last year. "To achieve these levels of patient safety and quality, particularly when the hospital serves a large and diverse population, healthcare leaders and frontline staff work together, sharing information on the best ways to provide care," Ms. Morath added.
3. Stanford also plays a significant part in serving California's South Bay and Santa Clara County communities. The hospitals accept complex patients with infections, potential infections pre-existing conditions that increase infection risk. "What this means is that Stanford receives and delivers care for patients that are most susceptible to infection due to their age or other circumstances," Ms. Mortath wrote. "The best hospitals are those that can take and treat the most challenging conditions."
4. The CEO also noted Stanford Health Care is actively engaged to ensure the safety of its patients and the greater community it serves by leading in medical research, developing breakthrough technologies and working to prevent infections. "Stanford Health Care's network of hospitals and clinics are a great asset, meeting the needs of patients, many of whom have the most challenging conditions."
Editor's note: This article was updated May 1.