Page 8 - Kadlec Regional Medical Center | 2012 Community Report

“Conventional wisdom
would suggest that the
bigger the city, the better
the quality of health care.
But a new study by
Consumer Reports
magazine [published in the
August 2012 issue] found
that being a bigger city
hospital didn’t necessarily
mean being the safest for
patients. Kadlec Regional
Medical Center in Richland
topped hospitals in Seattle
and Tacoma to earn the
distinction of being the
safest hospital in
Washington – and ranked
within the top 10 safest
hospitals in the country…
The survey included 1,159
hospitals in 44 states…”
– Tri-City Herald, July 6, 2012
Patient Safety is JoB ONE
What do patients want from medical centers? The Washington State Hospital Association
has done substantial consumer research to answer that simple question. The topic that
resonates most with patients is safety, even more than quality of care.
“Kadlec people worked very hard over the past decade to build a culture that emphasizes
safety for all patients,” says Becky Fuller, RN, Kadlec patient safety officer. “We regularly test
new approaches, refine and implement them.”
Among the many initiatives the Medical Center has implemented are a greater focus
on practicing evidence-based medicine, new ways to avoid hospital-acquired infections,
following established guidelines to prevent pressure ulcers (bedsores), encouraging
frequent hand washing, lowering the rate of septic shock, reducing the incidence of
pneumonia for patients on ventilators, reducing surgical site infections and using
advanced computer technology to improve information sharing among care teammembers.
Fuller emphasizes that two of the most important elements of patient safety are clear
communication and engaging patients in their safe care. Kadlec physicians, nurses and
therapists regularly encourage patients to:
• Ask questions if they have any concerns
• Involve loved ones in their care before, during and after a hospital stay
• Know all the medications and supplements they take
• Help prevent the spread of infection through basic hygiene
• Understand what will happen if they have surgery
• Know what to do after being discharged from the hospital