By Stephen S. Mills
President & Chief Executive Officer
New York Hospital Queens
New York Hospital Queens is strongly committed to providing our patients high quality medical care outcomes (results) and to constantly improving the hospital experience for patients and their families — right here in Queens.
Over the years, New York Hospital Queens has implemented performance programs that have resulted in many quality and safety improvements.
In 2011 alone, this hospital achieved results that include but are not limited to:
• Ranked in the top 10 percent by the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for Orthopedic procedures (for low post-operative morbidity)
• Reduced re-admissions for pneumonia, congestive heart failure and myocardial infection by five percent; New York Hospital Queens reduced readmissions below the New York State average of 20.9 percent.
• Increased Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) ratings in each of 10 domains, including communication about medication and discharge instructions; HCAHPS is the patient satisfaction measurement survey for acute care hospitals and is run by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Met or exceeded quality measures for end stage renal disease in our outpatient kidney dialysis center
• Improved nursing quality care outcomes, such as reduction in falls with injury and central line infections
• Achieved nationally recognized Excellence Awards for Maternity Care, and for Joint Replacement by HealthGrades
• Became one of the first hospitals in the N.Y.C. area to achieve a completely electronic health record throughout the Emergency Room and inpatient care units
• The adoption of an electronic health record system provides clinicians a longitudinal view — an easier chart view over the span of time— that can lead to improved patient outcomes—both in quality and safety—as well as a patient’s satisfaction with their care. Now, the hospital is in transition to an electronic health record system throughout multiple ambulatory care centers in the community as a way to improve continuity of patient care and provider communication.
In 2012, we can anticipate that there may be more quality reporting requirements by regulatory agencies and there is a constant need for staff education and training regarding patient safety.
Managing persistent issues such as infections – whether acquired in or out of the hospital – is extremely complex and requires constant vigilance and attention from both medical professionals and patients. An educated and aware patient and family are an important part of prevention and safety.
