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U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released the first in a series of health care “success story” reports that document innovative programs and initiatives that can serve as models for American health care reform. The inaugural report highlights the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center for Patient Safety & Quality Intensive Care Unit (MHA Keystone: ICU) project that — through voluntary efforts of Michigan hospitals — helped dramatically reduce the number of health care-associated infections in Michigan ICUs, saving more than 1,500 lives and $200 million over 18 months (see also Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan).

“We know there are tremendous examples of efficient, high-quality health care in America today. Our challenge is spreading these good examples across the country,” said Sebelius. “Our reports will showcase success stories like the Michigan Keystone ICU Project and highlight how health reform can improve the quality of care for all Americans.”

“When we enact health reform, we can improve quality, help control costs and ensure success stories like the Michigan Keystone ICU Project become the rule, not the exception,” added Sebelius.

The press release in its entirety can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/news.

“The Michigan hospitals that participate in the MHA Keystone Center programs have achieved significant, measurable patient safety improvements — lives have been saved and errors have been reduced,” said Spencer Johnson, president of the MHA. “We are pleased to see the success of the MHA Keystone Center hospitals serve as a beacon for other hospitals across the nation. We look forward to sharing best practices and future learnings from other MHA Keystone Center collaboratives already in progress.”

Recently, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) announced an expansion of its commitment to patient safety and health care quality activities through a $6 million, five-year investment in activities by the MHA Keystone Center. This investment from BCBSM was the second of its kind to MHA Keystone Center in less than four years.

“Statewide collaborations under the banner of the MHA Keystone Center have been instrumental in Michigan’s growing national reputation as a destination for world class health care,” said BCBSM President & CEO Daniel J. Loepp. “The partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the MHA Keystone Center and Michigan hospitals is the best example of how collaboration between health plans, hospitals, doctors and other medical professionals can positively affect patient outcomes.”

The MHA Keystone: ICU project improves safety and reduces medical errors in hospital ICUs by reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia and enhancing communication and culture among clinicians. In four years, the project resulted in nearly

1,800 lives saved, 129,000 excess hospital days prevented and $247 million in medical costs avoided.(1)

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This entry was posted on Monday, July 27th, 2009 at 4:40 pm and is filed under Dental Care & Health Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.