NUMC SELECTED AS WINNER OF NASSAU-SUFFOLK HOSPITAL COUNCIL’S 2011 EXCELLENCE IN PATIENT SAFETY AWARD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2011
PRESS CONTACT:
Shelley Lotenberg
shelley@numc.edu
516-572-6055
NUMC SELECTED AS WINNER OF NASSAU-SUFFOLK HOSPITAL COUNCIL’S 2011 EXCELLENCE IN PATIENT SAFETY AWARD
Award recognizes NUMC for its distinguished achievements in patient safety and quality improvements
EAST MEADOW, NY…Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the NuHealth System, announced that the Nassau University Medical Center’s (NUMC) quality improvement initiative on reducing central line associated blood stream infections had been selected by the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council as the winner of their Council’s 2011 Excellence in Patient Safety Award. The award was made in recognition of NUMC’s distinguished achievements in patient safety and quality improvement, following its quality improvement initiative, “Developing a low-Cost Solution to a High Risk Problem: Transforming the Process of Care to Reduce Central Line Associated blood Stream Infections”.
“This award is very impressive and a tribute to our staff for their stellar work and commitment to continue providing high quality health care to Long Island’s most vulnerable populations,” stated Gianelli. “Leadership worked collaboratively to identify procedures for insertion and maintenance of central lines with improved monitoring of patient safety risks, with the medical leadership championing the improvement initiative and nurses empowered to ensure maintenance of sterility during the insertion procedure.”
Kevin Dahill, President and CEO of the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council, congratulated Mr. Gianelli on the winning initiative: “It is my great pleasure to inform you, with congratulations, that your initiative received the highest score of the twenty applications for consideration in the Long Island region. We are honored to recognize NUMC for this achievement.”
The nomination was conducted in tandem with the Healthcare Association of New York State’s (HANYS) Pinnacle Award for Quality and Patient Safety. The nominations were scored for their impact on patient care and safety, innovation, adherence to quality improvement process, sustainability, evidence of cost-consciousness and demonstration of effective use of human and material resources. The outcomes achieved through improved education, communication and leadership involvement include:
• Zero blood stream infections were achieved in the medical intensive care unit, surgical intensive care unit and critical care unit from May 2010 through October 2010.
• It represents a 100% decrease in those units for the same time period in 2008 and a 100% decrease in those units for 2009.
• House wide decrease of 84% was noted for the same time period of 2008 and a 71% decrease for the same time period in 2009.
Steven J. Walerstein, MD, FACP, NuHealth’s executive vice president for medical affairs and medical director joined Mr. Gianelli in extending his congratulations: “Sincere and well deserved congratulations to the team formed by the department of quality management, under the leadership of Maureen P. Shannon, vice president of quality management, and charged with developing, implementing and monitoring the initiative to transform the process of care to reduce infections. You are being recognized for your commitment and hard work in championing this initiative and making it a priority for this institution.”
ABOUT NASSAU-SUFFOLK HOSPITAL COUNCIL
The Nassau Suffolk Hospital Council helps enhance health care for all Long Islanders by representing the interests of the 24 member hospitals before lawmakers, regulatory agencies, the media, and the public.
ABOUT NUHEALTH
NuHealth is a Long Island health care organization delivering essential medical care and disease and lifestyle management to everyone at every stage of life. Also known as Nassau Health Care Corporation, NuHealth is a public benefit corporation managing the operations of Nassau Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care and a network of Family Health Centers that bring primary and specialty care out into the community. By emphasizing wellness, cultural sensitivity and collaborative efforts with the North Shore-LIJ Health System, NuHealth is working to make good care more affordable and easier to access.
For more information about NuHealth or its Centers of Care, visit www.nuhealth.net.