Congratulations to David Bates, MD
BWH’s efforts in improving the quality and safety of health care will be recognized nationally this month by the American Hospital Association and the McKesson Corporation. The two organizations will present hospital leadership with a Citation of Merit for innovative technologies in advancing patient safety at the hospital’s Town Meeting on Wednesday, October 23, at 11 a.m.
Of more than 90 applications, BWH was selected as one of six finalists for the American Hospital Quest for Quality award. AHA sent representatives in May 2002 for a site visit to observe how quality and patient safety is interwoven within daily operations at the hospital. The site team was most impressed with the use of information technologies to support patient safety efforts.
BWH has been recognized as a leader in the development of patient safety technology. Information technologies that support quality and patient safety include:
Physician Order Entry
has reduced medication errors by 55% by the many built-in decision aids and alerts, and Outpatient Physician Order Entry.
Adverse Drug Event Monitor
proactively looks for potential adverse drug events based on medications ordered and related patient lab values.
System Provider Communication
improves the response to critical lab results by alerting the physician as the value is reported.
Computerized Sign-Out
standardizes communication of patient information among providers.
Patient Gateway
facilitates patient-to- provider communication via a web site. Patients can see their own medication profile, allergies and other information, as well as request medication renewals, specialist referrals or arrange appointments.
Emergency Department Tracking System
increases efficiency through dynamic tracking of patients at any stage of their ED admission.
On the horizon is the implementation of medication bar coding and an electronic medication administration record to further enhance medication safety.