Our patients safety and satisfaction are our highest priorities. We are disciplined in monitoring the care we provide every day and the satisfaction of each of our patients. By closely reviewing quality, we continually strive to improve the care our patients receive.
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) - Saving 5 Million Lives Campaign
PinnnacleHealth is one of over 2800 hospitals nationally who are participating in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's (IHI)
Saving 5 Million Lives Campaign. This initiative engages U.S. hospitals in a commitment to implement changes in care proven to improve patient care and prevent avoidable deaths. The campaign is the first national effort to promote saving a specified number of lives by a certain date (June 14, 2006). PinnacleHealth has formed teams to implement each of the six proven improvement methods incorporated into the 100,000 Lives Campaign. These are:
- Deploying Rapid Response Teams at the first sign of patient decline
- Delivering Reliable, Evidence-Based Care for Acute Myocardial Infarction to prevent deaths from heart attack
- Preventing Adverse Drug Events (ADEs)by implementing medication reconciliation
- Preventing Central Line Infections by implementing a series of interdependent, scientifically grounded steps called the "Central Line Bundle"
- Preventing Surgical Site Infections by reliably delivering the correct perioperative care
- Preventing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia by implementing a series of interdependent, scientifically grounded steps called the "Ventilator Bundle"
For more information about this campaign, please visit
IHI's website.
Process Improvement Activities
Each month, quality oversight committees comprised of representatives from our hospitals, medical staff and professional employees review reports that measure how we are doing. We take steps to assure our clinical care is based on sound evidence, to set new targets when goals are achieved and to identify areas in need of improvement. In addition, specific teams are formed to address each national quality or safety initiative. These teams identify how well we are currently meeting the goals of the initiative and develop action plans for improvement in areas where we fall short. The teams meet regularly to evaluate the effectiveness of their activities and report on their progress to the oversight committees as well as the board of directors.
Patient Satisfaction Surveys and Letters
We also look at letters and surveys you send to us. This feedback helps us to recognize the efforts of our employees and to make the future experiences of our families and patients even better.