The Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety (Coalition) has announced that Suburban Health Organization (SHO) has joined its efforts. SHO is an organization composed of eight central Indiana hospitals working together to promote quality, efficiency and patient access.
Suburban hospitals include St. Vincent Health, which is currently a Coalition member, Hancock Regional Hospital, Hendricks Regional Health, Henry County Hospital, Morgan Hospital & Medical Center, Riverview Hospital, Witham Health Services, and Westview Medical Campus.
“Suburban and our Hospitals have a long-standing commitment to improving patient safety, and this is an excellent opportunity for us to participate in regional efforts,” said Julie M. Carmichael, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Suburban.
“We understand that common protocols for the same procedures in different locations can cut down on mistakes. By pooling our expertise with the Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety, we are demonstrating our commitment to patient safety throughout central Indiana and accelerating improvement through a community-wide effort,” Carmichael continued.
In other news, Carol Birk, Director, PharmaTAP, Purdue University, has been named as the Coalition’s new Executive Director. In addition to her duties at Purdue, she will be responsible for the administration and overall direction of the Coalition. Birk replaces Kathy Rapala, who has accepted a new position as Director of Clinical Risk Management at Aurora Health in Wisconsin.
“Carol brings a solid background in catalyzing improvement in patient safety, clinical quality and efficiency in a multitude of settings,” said Dr. Glenn Bingle, chair of the Coalition and Community Health Network vice president for medical and academic affairs. “Her extensive experience assembling multi-disciplinary teams will support the existing work and structure of the Coalition and help to bring its knowledge to a broader set of healthcare providers.”
Birk received her B.S. in Pharmacy from Purdue University, an M.S. in Pharmacy Administration from University of Wisconsin, and completed a two year administrative residency at the University of Wisconsin. She has extensive experience in hospital pharmacy practice and healthcare performance improvement.
The Coalition is comprised of chief executive, medical, nursing and pharmacy officers from Indianapolis-area hospitals, including Clarian Health, Community Health Network, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, St. Francis Hospital and Health Services, St. Vincent Health and Wishard Health Services. In addition, there is participation by entities such as Eli Lilly and Company, WellPoint, Inc., Indiana University, Purdue University, the Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering and the Regenstrief Institute, Inc.
Since being founded in 2003, the Coalition provides a forum for Indianapolis-area hospitals to share information about ‘best practices’ and work together to solve the most concerning patient safety issues in Indianapolis hospitals in a non-punitive setting.
The Coalition patient safety projects are:
— analyzing processes used to dispense high alert drugs;
— implementing a surgical site marking and time-out policy;
— root cause analysis review;
— patient safety round programs;
— implementing standardized abbreviations; and
— participating in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Campaigns and other national initiatives.
About the Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety:
The Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety, formed in 2003, is a non-profit, public-private partnership of health care leaders committed to advancing patient safety efforts. Its membership includes Indianapolis-area hospital systems, as well as participants who purchase, insure, support or educate the health care community. Through their shared vision, the Indianapolis health care community has accelerated the pace of patient safety improvement in Indianapolis. www.indypatientsafety.org.
About Suburban Health Organization:
Suburban Health Organization (SHO) is a physician and hospital network serving central Indiana since 1994. Its eight central Indiana hospitals work together to promote quality, efficiency and patient access in the communities they serve. SHO’s Quality Management Council includes physician and quality management leaders who meet regularly to share information and collaborate on opportunities to improve clinical care, patient safety and patient satisfaction. www.suburbanhealth.com
Comments