It’s been a decade since the Institute of Medicine sent out shock waves with its report of widespread medical errors in America’s hospitals. While hospitals clamored to start measuring and improving patient quality and safety, MemorialCare Health System had started its journey years earlier by bringing together physicians, nurses and other clinicians to develop best medical practices that have been implemented at each of its hospitals.
To learn more, Smart Business turned to Barry Arbuckle, Ph.D., president and CEO of MemorialCare Health System and past chair of California Hospital Association.
What else triggered the attention to quality?
Quality has never been more important for health care providers. Employers are asking for it. Payers are demanding it. Pay-for-performance is emerging, while physicians are choosing hospitals known for high-quality care. External rating agencies are measuring medical outcomes and sharing results for all to see. Consumers are using the Internet and social networking to research and identify best health care practices. All are demanding information on health care value, quality and safety. And the market is responding with an explosion of information and public reports, and an increase in legislation and regulations.
What role does quality play among health care providers?
Quality and safety must be central to the mission of every health care provider — hospitals, physicians’ offices, home health services, ambulatory facilities and other settings. Scores of quality measures are being implemented. These include rapid response teams that quickly respond to declines in patient conditions, safeguards and quality control measures to reduce medication errors, and checklists to decrease surgical complications and injuries. That is because we know even one preventable death or complication is one too many.
How can health care providers implement quality initiatives?
Well before the Institute of Medicine’s first report, MemorialCare Health System decided to aggressively document our quality through extensive clinical outcome studies. Through teams of doctors, nurses and clinicians coming together from our hospitals, we pioneered and created best practice, evidence-based medicine and clinical guidelines that are able to identify best diagnostic, treatment and preventive techniques. Our teams focus on specific populations of patients or diseases, and develop guidelines that have become the standards of practice at all our Southern California facilities.