HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital earns ‘A’ grade for patient safety in Leapfrog scores
From Illinois Business Journal news services
BELLEVILLE – The independent hospital watchdog The Leapfrog Group has rated HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital an “A” in its national ratings program, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to patient safety.
The ranking grades hospitals A, B, C, D or F based on errors, injuries, accidents and infections.
“HSHS St. Elizabeth’s has diligently worked to improve patient safety over the past several years to truly deliver region leading, safe, high-quality care,” said Shelley Harris, interim chief executive officer at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. “We are proud of this distinction and are pleased to see our hard work and dedication has allowed us to achieve this breakthrough A performance rating.”
St. Elizabeth’s was able to increase hospital safety by utilizing a Daily Performance Management (DPM) system. Guided by this system, St. Elizabeth’s quality department partners in real time with front line clinicians to identify potential risk for patient harm and empowers front line clinicians to identify and remove potential harm before reaching patients.
“DPM gives nurses a sense of ownership and motivation to deliver patient-centered care,” said Leigh-Ann, clinical excellence manager for St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. “DPM also creates a culture of transparency, improved communication, increased accountability, and engages colleagues.”
After DPM was fully implemented hospital wide, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s celebrated the following improvements: zero central line associated blood stream infections, 60 percent decrease in patient falls, 50 percent decrease in hospital acquired pulmonary embolisms and deep vein thromboembolisms, and greater than 80 percent decrease in catheter associated urinary tract infections.
More than 2,500 U.S. general hospitals were assigned scores in October 2015, with 773 hospitals receiving an A grade, including HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, which serves as a sister hospital to St. Elizabeth’s in the HSHS Southern Illinois Division.
To see St. Elizabeth’s full score, and to access consumer-friendly tips for patients and loved ones visiting the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org or follow The Hospital Safety Score on Twitter or Facebook. Consumers can also download the free Hospital Safety Score mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
