Organizations Share Their Stories

• 6/3/2009
• Author: Jim Parker
• Category: Perspectives on Patient Safety Blog
• 26842 Views
• 0 Comments
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We are wrapping up the July issue of Joint Commission Perspectives on Patient Safety in the next few days. I am excited about this issue because it includes two case studies of exemplary organizations that have made great strides in improving the safety of their patients.  
 
•   Baptist Health Home Health Network is a multisite home health and hospice agency that serves 800 patients in the state of Arkansas.  The organization has undertaken a program to help patients who suffer from chronic illnesses to better self-manage their conditions. This program helped Baptist Health increase patient satisfaction, reduce rehospitalization, improve clinical outcomes, and decrease staff turnover. 
 
•   Cancer Treatment Centers of America, a four-hospital system caring for patients with all types of cancer. The organization has learned that many problems common to health care organizations, such as cost control and maintaining patient volume, can be addressed through a patient-centered care focus. The organization has not experienced any staffing shortages, and in fact has a waiting list for new employees; it also does not suffer any patient lawsuits because patients do not feel a lack of control or options. Anecdotally, the organization’s experience suggests that a patient-centered care model may actually help improve a person’s physical health by reducing stress.
 
These organizations should be commended not only for their contributions to patient safety, but also for their willingness to share their stories with the health care community. This openness demonstrates a commitment to improving the safety of not only their patients, but all patients.

If your organization has a story to share, or if you would like to recommend an organization to be featured in a case study, please let me know at patientsafety@jcrinc.com.