Indiana Hospital Association Recognizes Franciscan Alliance Hospitals for Work to Improve Quality and Patient Safety

fillerThe Indiana Hospital Association recently recognized Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City, Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point, Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer and Hammond and Franciscan Healthcare-Munster for their efforts to reduce instances of patient harm by 40 percent and readmissions by 20 percent during the past three years.

The recognition is based on the results of a national campaign called Partnership for Patients, created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to improve hospital quality and patient safety.

The hospitals were among 116 that partnered with the IHA to form a statewide engagement network called, Coalition for Care, and participated with the American Hospital Association’s Health Research and Educational Trust in the initiative. The hospitals worked collaboratively on patient safety efforts.

Member hospital representatives attended educational sessions offered through IHA and HRET to address readmissions, falls and patient and family engagement, among others, and in the last three years, there have been 3,800 participants in educational programs.

“As everyone knows, teamwork makes a difference in health care outcomes. This notably positive outcome is the direct result of intense collaboration at all levels of these strong Franciscan Alliance organizations,” said Gene Diamond, CEO of Franciscan Alliance’s Northern Indiana Region, adding, “A great deal of progress has been made and there’s more to come, thanks to the tireless efforts of everyone on the health care team, as well as those supporting their efforts.’

Added Doug Leonard, IHA president, “This is proof that efforts to identify harm and reduce readmissions are working. Our hospitals should be commended for their continued commitment to improving patient care. Indiana hospitals have had many accomplishments in the past three years, and will continue this work in 2015 to improve the overall health and well-being of our state.”

Indiana Hospital Association is a non-profit organization that serves as the professional trade association for 164 Hoosier hospitals. These members are either independent or a member of one of the 23 systems in the state. Membership includes hospitals, multi-hospital systems and community mental health centers. The mission of the IHA is to provide leadership, representation and services in the common best interests of its members as they promote the improvement of community health status. IHA’s primary responsibility is to represent the interests of hospitals in matters of public policy. IHA also provides members with education, communications and data collection services.