Success Stories
A 55% Reduction in Patient Harming Perinatal Triggers And
A Significant Increase in Days Between Serious Events
Background
In 2007 a client
engaged LifeWings to help their staff and physicians implement teamwork and
communications skills to continue their improvements in
quality and patient safety. While the client was already performing well, they
recognized the need for improved patient outcomes. We worked with them to
develop a comprehensive plan that included management commitment, formal
training, resources for implementation, and performance measurement.
Performance Measures
Two of the client-identified metrics
to assess their success in making greater improvements in patient safety were:
-
Days between serious events –
note that a serious event is more broadly defined than “sentinel events” in
order to provide a metric with greater sensitivity.
-
IHI Perinatal Triggers – A tool used to
indicate the rate of potential physical harm via a retrospective review of
patient records.
Action
LifeWings provided the client a
thorough risk assessment that revealed specific areas where patient outcomes
were likely to be adversely affected; interdisciplinary collaboration,
time-critical communications, and resilient “transfer of care” communications.
We developed a training plan based on their specific needs and a Hardwired
Safety ToolsSM implementation plan. The client has determined that their
implementation of the teamwork and communications skills and Tools developed via
the LifeWings program has significantly improved patient outcomes.
Results
Specifically the client’s improvement
plan resulted in:
-
A reduction in the average number
of perinatal triggers from 3.67 in 2007 to 1.67 in 2008. This approximate
55% reduction resulted in more patients being spared physical harm and most
likely saved the client malpractice claims and insurance increases.
-
An average increase of more than
180 days between serious events from January 1, 2007 (58 days) and May 15,
2009 (245 days).This significant increase in the number of days also
provided the client a significant return-on-investment for their program.
This client’s success is due largely
to their dedication to achieving their patient safety goals and providing the
best possible foundation for the program including:
-
Complete dedication to the
mission from their staff and management – they did this by working
collaboratively to innovate real-world solutions to communication errors,
and to proactively create a cohesive inter-professional atmosphere for
delivering care.
-
Support from management for staff
training considerations including negotiating a malpractice premium discount
for physicians who attended the training and used the Hardwired Safety
ToolsSM.
-
Adherence to strict measurement
protocols by physicians and staff.
View detailed slides of client results here.
If you are interested in learning more about
how LifeWings programs can create better teams, improve patient safety, reduce
medical errors, and help your hospital create a sustainable culture of safety, please:
>To
consult with our client about this data
please
contact
us.
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