[Editor’s Note: This is updated info!]
(Peoria, IL / September 12, 2012) OSF Healthcare System received the Illinois Hospital Association Quality Care Institute’s 2012 Quality Excellence Achievement Award in the urban hospital category during the 2012 IHA Leadership Summit in Lombard on September 11. The award recognizes hospitals that have implemented interventions or best practices designed to advance quality patient care.
OSF HealthCare was recognized for its program Improving Obstetrical Care through Organization Collaboration. This initiative was implemented system wide in April 2011 to reduce elective deliveries less than 39 weeks gestation. Numerous national medical organizations support this care strategy and the Federal regulatory agencies intend to make this indicator a core measure in 2013.
Dr. Michael Leonardi, Maternal Fetal Department Chair at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria was the team physician champion for the project.
“Outcomes of the collaborative include enhancement of patient safety and quality in obstetrical and perinatal care by applying evidenced-based medicine, identification of best practices for the delivery of care, prevention of adverse perinatal events and improved outcomes for patients, families, caretakers, and society,” said Kathy Haig, OSF Healthcare System Patient Safety Officer. “Dr. Leonardi’s expertise and commitment led the team to reducing elective deliveries less than 39 weeks gestation and beginning a journey to transforming the care management for mothers and infants throughout OSF.”
IHA Quality Excellence Achievement Awards recipients were selected by a panel of 30 nationally-recognized quality improvement leaders in two categories: urban and rural/critical access. Recipients have achieved measurable and meaningful progress in advancing one or more elements of the Institute of Medicine’s six aims for improvement—safety, effectiveness, timeliness, efficiency, equity, and patient-centered care.
“The Institute is committed to transforming health care delivery in Illinois into a national model for person-centered, high value health care,” said IHA President & CEO Maryjane A. Wurth. “These awards highlight the remarkable efforts of Illinois hospitals to improve the quality of patient care, address the challenges of population health, and constrain the ever-rising per capita cost of care.”