Two Bay Area hospitals are taking part in a landmark, two-year project aimed at reducing deaths from sepsis (blood infection) and hospital-acquired pneumonia rates as well as improving registered nurse satisfaction. O'Connor Hospital in San Jose and Washington Hospital in Fremont were chosen by the California Institute for Health Systems Performance (CIHSP), which is undertaking the pilot project, the Evidence-Based Practice Initiative (EBPI), to advance nursing practices in the Bay Area. O'Connor and Washington hospitals will focus on implementing two clinical, evidence-based guidelines to achieve a 25 percent reduction in mortality due to sepsis and a 20 percent reduction in the incidence of nonventilator-associated, hospital-acquired pneumonia.
The hospitals will receive project support from CIHSP. Along with the creation of an extensive educational curriculum providing training for guideline implementation and professional role development, CIHSP will prepare associated materials, tools and resources designed to support implementing the EBPI clinical guidelines.
According to CIHSP President and CEO Marsha Nelson, MBA, RN, the staffs at both O'Connor and Washington hospitals will benefit from a newly placed, on-site mentor/coach. "Since these hospitals are looking at definitive changes, it is essential to provide support, not only with clinical guideline implementation, but also to model the organizational culture change necessary for evidence-based nursing practice," says Nelson. The mentor/coach will serve as a senior consultant; there to monitor and assist with adherence to EBPI principles.
Today's announcement follows a months-long selection process beginning with CIHSP inviting Bay Area hospitals to apply for the pilot project based on a general assessment of competing priorities and location. "O'Connor and Washington hospitals not only meet the EBPI criteria, they stand out as medical institutions committed to standardized measurement leading to improvements in protocols to advance patient care," asserts Nelson.
Cheryl Nester-Bowers, Chief Nursing Officer with O'Connor Hospital says its participation in the pilot project will involve the emergency department, oncology, telemetry and intensive care units. "It's incredibly valuable to be able to collaborate with teams of knowledgeable people, distill the literature and apply best practices to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes," states Nester-Bowers. "As members of the Education and Guidelines Committees, some of our staff is already involved in compiling evidence and creating an education model for the nursing staff."
Martha Giggleman, Senior Director for Clinical Workforce Development at Washington Hospital says members of her hospital's nursing staff have taken lead roles with the EBPI committees in developing guidelines and educational curriculum. "At Washington Hospital, we're all very excited and honored to be a part of this project. It is giving the staff a great sense of being involved in the investigation and implementation of best practices for patient care."
O'Connor Hospital, Washington Hospital and CIHSP's participation in the EBPI is supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
About the California Institute for Health Systems Performance
The California Institute for Health Systems Performance (CIHSP) is a nonprofit, public benefit organization dedicated to improving the quality of health care in California and to increasing the accountability of the provider community. CIHSP -- through collaboration and key partnerships -- leads the way in standardized health care quality performance measurement and improvement in California. For more information, visit www.CIHSP.org.
About the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, established in 2000, seeks to advance environmental conservation and scientific research around the world and improve the quality of life in the San Francisco Bay Area. The goal of the Betty Irene Moore Nursing Initiative is to improve the quality of nursing- related patient outcomes in adult acute care hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, please visit www.moore.org.