Washington Hospital 2010 Annual Quality Report - (Page 6)

Highlights of our safety initiatives The home medication list is updated throughout the patient’s hospitalization. When it is time for the patient to leave the Hospital, the physician does a final reconciliation and generates a computerized list of medications and a discharge summary and instructions. At Washington Hospital, we are continuing to refine our processes to meet the important need for accurate medication reconciliation and a safe, useful medication list for our patients. We recently presented the results of our medication reconciliation initiative at a national meeting of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, generating much interest from other hospitals. Number of patient falls per 1,000 inpatient days Keeping patients safe from falls Falls are a serious threat to hospitalized patients, especially those who are elderly. With leadership from our multidisciplinary Falls Risk Reduction Team, we implemented a falls reduction protocol, including the use of low-boy beds, non-slip socks, armbands and special room signage for high-risk patients. These and other measures have significantly reduced patient falls, and we have remained well below the national benchmark for the last three years. 4.0 Washington Hospital 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 CalNOC Benchmark 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Fewer patient falls The rate of patient falls at Washington Hospital has been below the CalNOC (Collaborative Alliance for Nursing Outcomes) standard since early in 2007. avoiding risk of falls Nurses Cheryl Bernal, RN, and Trang Nguyen, RN, attend to an elderly patient on the 3 West Medical/Surgical unit. The Hospital’s falls reduction program includes placing high-risk patients in low-boy beds. These specially designed hospital beds can be adjusted to a lower position to help prevent patient falls. 6 

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Washington Hospital 2010 Annual Quality Report

Washington Hospital 2010 Annual Quality Report
Mission Statement
Setting Our Quality Goals
Our Total Commitment
Inspiring Change Through Excellence
Collaborating for Quality and Safety
Promoting Safety
Assuring a Safe Place for Patients
Focusing on Improvement
Cultivating Quality
Advancing Excellence in Nursing
Connecting Evidence-based Practice to Quality Outcomes
Teaming Up for Higher Quality and Greater Efficiency
Learning From Our Patients
Innovation That Builds Quality
Recognized for Quality
Raising the Bar on Quality

Washington Hospital 2010 Annual Quality Report

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