L to R: Director of ICU, Tammy Johnson; Chief Nursing Officer, Kim Finch; Director of Environmental Services, Siobhan Davenport and Chief Quality Officer, Terry Owens.

By KELSEY MYERS
Business Development Specialist, Lutheran Health Network, Kosciusko Community Hospital

The Indiana Hospital Association recently recognized Kosciusko Community Hospital for their work to reduce patient harm by 40 percent and readmissions by 20 percent over the past three years. The recognition is based on the results of a national campaign known as Partnership for Patients, created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to improve quality and patient safety at hospitals nationwide.

Kosciusko Community Hospital was one of 116 hospitals that partnered with IHA to form a statewide engagement network, Coalition for Care, and participate with the American Hospital Association’s Health Research and Educational Trust in this ambitious initiative. These hospitals came together to work collaboratively on patient safety efforts, and not compete on safety.

“All of our physicians and staff at KCH should feel proud of the improvements we have achieved in regard to patient safety and quality,” said CEO Stephen Miller. “By collaborating with IHA and applying the best practices that have been proven to work in our industry, we can provide even better treatment for our patients.”

Member hospitals attended educational sessions offered through IHA and HRET to address readmissions, falls and patient and family engagement, among others, and in the last three years, there have been 3,800 participants in educational programs.

This year, 59 regional patient safety coalition meetings were held across the state. Lean Six Sigma training has been instrumental, with 297 Lean Six Sigma green belts and 176 Lean Six Sigma black belts being trained.

There are now 68 hospitals with patient and family advisory councils. KCH had 3 individuals receiving Lean Six Sigma training during the course of three years.

“This is proof that efforts to identify harms and reduce readmissions are working. Our hospitals should be commended for their continued commitment to improving patient care. Indiana hospitals have had many accomplishments in the past three years, and will continue this work in 2015 to improve the overall health and well-being of our state,” said Doug Leonard, president of the Indiana Hospital Association.