LHA Research and Education Foundation Quality Improvement Initiative Surpasses National Patient Safety Goals, Saves Over $335 Million

Baton Rouge, La. - The Louisiana Hospital Association Research and Education Foundation Hospital Engagement Network (LHAREF HEN) improved care for over 48,000 Louisiana patients and saved an estimated $335 million in healthcare costs from 2012-2014 as part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Partnership for Patients initiative.

CMS established the federal Partnership for Patients initiative in early 2012 with the goals of reducing avoidable patient harm by 40 percent in ten discrete areas and reducing hospital readmissions by 20 percent. Hospitals in Louisiana that participated in the LHAREF HEN achieved greater than a 40 percent decrease in avoidable harm in the ten areas and reduced hospital readmissions by 35 percent, according to preliminary results.

The LHAREF was able to provide training and resources to help hospitals achieve these quality improvement goals under a subcontract with the American Hospital Association Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) in coordination with the federal initiative.

“The LHAREF HEN hospitals finished in the top tier among hospitals nationwide,” said LHA President and CEO Paul Salles. “The hard work and commitment to improving patient care shown by our hospitals is a wonderful testimony to what can be accomplished with a focused, targeted effort and dedicated hospital leadership. The LHAREF is proud to have had a leadership role in making the most comprehensive quality improvement project in our nation's history an absolute success in Louisiana.”

The reductions in avoidable harm in ten areas for participating LHAREF HEN hospitals as of December 2014, according to preliminary results, include:
94 percent reduction in early elective deliveries (non-medically necessary deliveries prior to 39 weeks);
75 percent reduction in birth trauma that would have resulted in an injury to a neonate;
74 percent reduction in potentially preventable venous thromboembolism (blood clots in an extremity);
71 percent reduction in central line-associated blood stream infections in intensive care units;
69 percent reduction in pressure ulcers;
62 percent reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infections;
53 percent reduction in possible/probable ventilator-associated pneumonia;
51 percent reduction in excessive anticoagulation (blood thinning) with warfarin in monitored inpatients;
47 percent reduction in falls with injury; and
46 percent reduction in surgical-site infection rate (within 30 days after procedure).

“Improving patient care is a top priority for our hospitals,” said LHA Vice President Ken Alexander. “Hospital leadership and staff are focused on delivering better, safer care for patients every day. The LHA Board of Trustees and staff are committed to supporting future quality-improvement initiatives similar to the LHAREF HEN.”

In addition to the LHAREF HEN, the LHA has member hospitals that worked with four other contracted HENs in Louisiana to improve patient safety.

About the Louisiana Hospital Association and LHA Research and Education Foundation
Established in 1926, the LHA is a non-profit organization representing hospitals and healthcare provider groups across the state. The mission of the LHA is to support its members through advocacy, education and services. For more information, visit the LHA website at www.lhaonline.org, or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LAHospitals or on Twitter @LAHospitals.

In 1966, the LHA Research & Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was created for education and research purposes, which has allowed Louisiana hospitals, both members and non-members, to gain access to additional expertise and resources through government grant activities and contracts focused on emergency preparedness, technology and quality improvement initiatives.

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Note: List of participating LHAREF HEN hospitals and glossary terms are available at www.lhaonline.org/resource/resmgr/Media/LHAReleaseHENSuccess.pdf.

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