NASSAU UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER PATIENT SAFETY/QUALITY CARE INITIATIVE TO REDUCE VENTILATOR ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION IN THE SAFETY-NET MAGAZINE
September 22, 2008
Contact: Shelley Lotenberg
(516) 572-6055
shelley@numc.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Nassau University Medical Center Patient Safety/Quality Care Initiative to Reduce Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Selected for Publication in The Safety-Net Magazine
Demonstrates Renewed Emphasis on Patient Safety and Commitment to Excellence in Patient Care
East Meadow, NY….A comprehensive patient care program at Nassau University Medical Center to reduce cases of pneumonia in patients on ventilators (“VAPS”) has been selected for publication in the national journal, The Safety Net Magazine, which is published quarterly by the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems. This program is part of the Patient Safety Initiative currently underway at NUMC, and highlights some of the improvement in the quality of patient care at the hospital. NUMC was recently awarded a plaque by the Health Association of the State of New York (“HANYS”) for participation in the statewide VAPS reduction program, in which NUMC performed in the top 20% of hospitals statewide.
The Nassau University Medical Center has instituted an aggressive program to reduce Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAPs) which is an Institute for Heathcare Improvement and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services goal. NUMC is well above average in instituting those measures proven to reduce VAPS.
Arthur A. Gianelli, President and CEO of Nassau Health Care Corporation, stated: “These awards demonstrate a renewed commitment to excellence in patient care at the Nassau University Medical Center. As we continue to build and enhance services at the medical center, I expect NUMC to become a state and national leader in numerous areas of patient care, building on our historical mission as a first-class community hospital with a public mission.”
Dr. Ken Steier, NUMC Associate Medical Director, Patient Safety Officer and VAP Reduction Team Chair, stated: “This statewide and national recognition demonstrates the intense emphasis on patient care and safety, at the Nassau University Medical Center. It independently confirms the improved patient outcomes that can be seen by close attention to detail and a total staff commitment to patient safety. We are happy to report that we have had no (0) VAPS in May and June, 2008, as a result of these measures.”
This success has been achieved using several tools:
1) The formation of a multidisciplinary VAP team to develop policy and monitor compliance
2) Daily surveillance by the infection control team
3) The development of checklists and templates to assure compliance
4) The development and implementation of a Deep Venous Thrombosis Risk Factor Assessment and Order Form
5) Education, education, and education.
“NUMC looks forward to continued success in improving patient safety for our community,” added Dr. Steier.