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OSF Saint Francis Recognized As A Quality Leader

OSF Saint Francis Named One of Nation’s Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospitals
The OSF Saint Francis Heart Hospital was the only facility in the greater Peoria area to be named to the Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospitals by Solucient, a leading provider of patient quality information in the United States. Solucient maintains the nation’s largest healthcare database, comprised of more than 26 million patient discharges per year from 2,900 U.S. hospitals. It was from this database that Solucient identified the top performers in cardiovascular medicine.

OSF Saint Francis was one of only six Illinois hospitals recognized by Solucient and the only downstate teaching hospital.

The annual Solucient award for top cardiovascular services is a result of a very detailed review of treatment standards and survival rates of patients in three categories: heart attack; congestive heart failure; and coronary artery bypass surgery.

The most recent results of these detailed comparisons show cardiac patients survive longer and have fewer complications at OSF Saint Francis Heart Hospital.

The specific criteria used by Solucient are based on scientific evidence and correspond with those used by the federal government’s Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the premier accrediting agency for U.S. hospitals.

According N. Kent Wise, M.D., and assistant administrator for cardiac services at the OSF Saint Francis Heart Hospital, this recognition is a shared honor. “The treatment of heart conditions is a complex undertaking,” said Wise. “It involves a wide variety of
disciplines, departments and skills, from outpatient testing all the way through to care of the patient after treatment in the hospital to Cardiac Rehab. This award is an acknowledgement of the skills and dedication of hundreds of healthcare professionals.”

The 2006 Solucient 100 Top Hospitals: Cardiovascular Benchmarks for Success study appears in the current edition of Modern Healthcare, a Crain’s Communications publication and the leading hospital journal in the United States. (Crain’s also publishes Crain’s Chicago Business.)

The OSF Saint Francis Heart Hospital was established in April 2004.

In addition, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center is one of 37 Illinois hospitals that have embraced the concept of publicly reporting efforts to reduce medical errors. A January survey conducted by the Leapfrog Group asked hospitals to report progress in meeting four "leaps" to better patient safety. Those leaps are:

• A computerized order entry system to enter patient prescriptions and other orders into computers linked to error prevention software.
• Hospital critical care units staffed with critical care specialists.
• Patient outcomes related to selected high-risk procedures.
• Efforts taken to enact the 27 safe practice recommendations of the National Quality Forum.

"Leapfrog provides an objective assessment of actions that hospitals are taking to become safer," said Carol Wilhoit, MD, Medical Director, HMO Illinois. "As health plans move towards rewarding performance, objective measures such as Leapfrog become more important."

The Leapfrog Group's mission is to trigger giant leaps forward in the safety, quality and affordability of healthcare. Large private and public sector health benefits purchasers representing more than 36 million enrollees are part of the Leapfrog Group. Members include DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Honeywell Inc., United Parcel Service and the American Federation of Teachers.

"At OSF Saint Francis, we believe it is a natural extension of our Mission to serve others that we share information concerning the steps we are taking to improve the quality of care we provide with the public," said Michael Curt, MD, Assistant Administrator for Quality Improvement. "Transparency in our programs is vital to maintaining the public's trust in our care."

MBGH represents more than 65 employers who provide coverage for approximately 800,000 lives. It leads the Leapfrog Group's efforts to promote quality and safe practices in Illinois.

OSF Saint Francis Nursing Team Receives National Recognition
The nursing staff of the OSF Saint Francis Family Birthing Center has been identified as the ADVANCE for Nurses Best Nursing Team for 2006. The team is featured on the May issue of ADVANCE for Nurses and formal recognition was given during ceremonies held today at the medical center. Representatives from ADVANCE and OSF Saint Francis administration congratulated the 150 nurses who comprise the Family Birthing Center.

The grand prize award was the result of an essay written by team member Lorie Helle, RN, BSN. The essay was selected from hundreds submitted to ADVANCE for Nurses from Wisconsin, Indiana and the northern portion of Illinois. Among the criteria judges reviewed were: initiative, adaptability, teamwork, recruitment and retention and nursing knowledge.

According to Susan Ehlers, Nurse Executive for OSF Saint Francis, the award acknowledges the significant teamwork displayed daily in the Family Birthing Center. “We have four distinct components that comprise the center, yet they work together so seamlessly, they appear as one,” she said. “This award and Lorie’s essay both recognize that high level of teamwork; the grand prize is certainly deserved.”

Diane Hinderliter is director over the Family Birthing Center.