Joint Commission journal on quality and patient safety / Joint Commission Resources
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Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf · Jun 2011
ReviewA systematic review of failures in handoff communication during intrahospital transfers.
Handoffs serve a critical function in ensuring patient care continuity during transitions of care. Studies to date have predominantly focused on intershift handoffs, with relatively little attention given to intrahospital transfers. A systematic literature review was conducted to characterize the nature of handoff failures during intrahospital transfers and to examine factors affecting handoff communication and the effectiveness of current interventions. ⋯ There is consistent evidence on the perceived impact of communication breakdown on patient safety during intrahospital transfers. Exposure of handoffs at patient transfers presents challenges that are not experienced in intershift handoffs. The distinct needs of the specific clinical settings involved in the intrahospital patient transfer must be considered when deciding on suitable interventions.
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To achieve significant and sustainable statewide improvements in the safety of health care, the Washington State Hospital Association has launched a series of Safe Table Collaboratives. All 97 community hospitals in the state set ambitious goals, implement the latest medical evidence to improve care, and measure progress.
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Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf · May 2011
An interview with John H. Eichhorn. Interview by Joseph Conigliaro.
Anesthesiology, with its development of practice standards, helped create the patient safety movement, states Dr. Eichhorn, and "can continue to be the role model and to lead the way in patient safety for all of health care.
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Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf · Apr 2011
A two-pronged quality improvement training program for leaders and frontline staff.
A unique two-pronged QI training program was developed at Emory Healthcare (Atlanta), which encompasses five hospitals and a multispecialty physician practice. One two-day program, Leadership for Healthcare Improvement, is offered to leadership, and a four-month program, Practical Methods for Healthcare Improvement, is offered to frontline staff and middle managers. KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT: Participants in the leadership program completed self-assessments of QI competencies and pre- and postcourse QI knowledge tests. Semistructured interviews with selected participants in the practical methods program were performed to assess QI project sustainability and short-term outcomes. ⋯ This initiative shows the feasibility of implementing a broad-based in-house QI training program for multidisciplinary staff across an integrated health system. Initial assessment shows knowledge improvements and successful QI project implementations, with many projects active up to one year following the courses.
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Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf · Apr 2011
Does the Veterans Affairs depression performance measure predict quality care?
In 2000, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) instituted a performance measure to improve the quality of depression care. The measure evaluated adequacy of follow-up for depressed patients but was removed from clinic directors' performance plans in fiscal year (FY) 2009 because it had not been empirically validated. The VA depression performance measure was compared with an empirically validated model for assessing adherence to important depression treatment processes. ⋯ The highest-performing sites on the VA depression performance measure adhered to important care processes more often than did the lowest-performing sites.