 |
|
 |
|||
|
Summer, 01
|
|||
|
Patient
Safety in Arkansas Our friends at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) recently reported that 81% of senior hospital executives participating in a RWJF—study said they'd witnessed serious medical errors. Even more physicians—95% of 600 surveyed—said they'd seen serious errors firsthand, as had 89% of 400 nurses who were quizzed. "Medical error" was defined as failure to carry out a medical task as intended—giving the wrong drug or performing surgery in a way not planned. Underscoring how entrenched the problems are, 61% of the healthcare professionals said they accept common errors as "routine practice." And, did they think healthcare providers are doing a very good job of providing safe and effective treatments? "No," said 58%. Seventy-two percent (72%) said the healthcare system needs fundamental change. The RWJF study is but the most recent aftershock of two major, unsettling reports by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). The IOM's first report, published in 1999, concluded that medical errors kill 44,000 to 98,000 people each year in U.S. hospitals. Its second report, published in March, 2001, urged reform of the system and called for Congress to spend $1 billion to make healthcare safer, more efficient, and more science-based. Since most of the providers surveyed said they're not doing as good a job preventing errors as they should, and since 72% recommend fundamental change, we believe the Congress should listen to the IOM. We hope the Congress will spend $1 billion to help bring improvements. And, we're grateful that the RWJF will provide $21 million in grants to hospitals willing to revamp their operations to reduce medical errors. The RWJF says it has already received more than 200 grant applications from hospitals. Twelve will receive initial planning grants this summer. Eventually, six of the twelve will receive up to $3.5 million more to pursue their plans. These hospitals will serve as models to other healthcare providers nationwide. Meanwhile, what are we doing here in Arkansas to enhance patient safety by reducing medical errors? Well, the AHA is one of eleven Arkansas organizations representing doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and hospitals that formally organized last November to take part in the Arkansas Patient Safety Initiative (APSI). Dr. William Golden, clinical coordinator for the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care and APSI leader, says the focus of the initiative is on preventing medical errors, particularly those attributable to limitations and processes hospitals and other healthcare providers have in place. A major first goal of the APSI is to allay hospital and other providers' fear of penalty if they report errors. APSI members hope to do this by creating an educational, non-punitive forum where incidents are discussed openly and solutions are developed and implemented. Only through open discussion will true solutions be attainable. We're confident that hospitals, physicians, nurses, and pharmacists all throughout Arkansas will support the APSI. We're equally confident that we'll soon see meaningful system reform throughout our great state.
Arkansas Newsmakers and Newcomers Chris Dent, vice president for patient care at Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock, has been named by Governor Mike Huckabee to a four-year term on the Breast Cancer Control Advisory Board. Her term expires January 1, 2005. Dent succeeds Judy Adams, retired administrator of Little River Memorial Hospital in Ashdown. Scott Street has been appointed administrator of St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro where he will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the medical center, according to Ben E. Owens, president of St. Bernards Health Care. A native of Cherokee Village, Street is a former vice president with Baptist Health in Little Rock. Brian R. Holt has been named CEO of SemperCare Hospital of Little Rock. He is a former CEO of Summit Hospital in Sulphur, Louisiana. Gary Weeks, who was acting CEO until Holt's appointment, has returned to his position as vice president of operations for SemperCare in Dallas. Joe Smith, former administrator of DeWitt City Hospital, has been named administrator of Dardanelle Hospital. Smith succeeds Shawn Cathey who has taken an administrative position with Winrock International. Greg Meyer has been named interim administrator of DeWitt City Hospital, following the departure of Ed Hogan, who returned to nursing home administration with Beverly Healthcare in Jonesboro. David G. Blackburn, president of the Arkansas Heart Hospital since its opening, completed his tenure there with his retirement which became effective April 6. Originally planning to spend retirement years in the greater Cincinnati area, Blackburn has decided to stay in Little Rock where he will be on call to serve as an interim hospital administrator wherever such services might be needed in Arkansas. Barry Pipkin, CEO of The BridgeWay Hospital in North Little Rock, has been promoted to Group Director for the Behavioral Health Division of Universal Health Services. In his new position, Pipkin will assume oversight responsibilities for Ridge Behavioral Health in Lexington, Kentucky, while continuing day-to-day management of The BridgeWay. Wilbur C. West, retired trustee of Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, was awarded the United States Air Force Silver Star Medal in a special ceremony at the Little Rock Air Force Base April 23. West was awarded the long-overdue medal for bravery while bombing Hitler's oil supply in Romania in 1942 during World War II. Upon receiving his medal, West said, "I don't know anyone who was flying missions for medals. We were flying for the country...trying to do a job." Jonathan R. Bates, M.D., president and CEO of Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, and George H. "Buzz" Gray, Jr., director of the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock, received Chancellor's Awards during the May 19 commencement ceremonies of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. The awards were presented to recognize outstanding service to the university and for professional leadership in their healthcare fields. Ray Kordsmeier, trustee at Conway Regional Medical Center and president of the Arkansas Association of Hospital Trustees, was featured in a trustee profile in the May 2001 issue of Trustee magazine. Kordsmeier also serves as a trustee alternate to the American Hospital Association's Region 7 Regional Policy Board. Tim Hill, president and CEO of North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC) in Harrison and an AHA board member, was the recipient of the North Arkansas College Board of Trustees Award during the college's May 12 commencement ceremonies. With Hill's support, the College and NARMC developed the North Arkansas Partnership for Health Education to provide health-related educational services for hundreds of healthcare professionals and area residents each year. David Cox has been named administrator of Eureka Springs Hospital, succeeding Jack Morris who will continue to work with Cox until July 31. Cox has more than 14 years experience in healthcare management, most recently with Washington Regional Health System in Fayetteville from 1990-2000.
New Seclusion, Restraint Standards The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) May 21 released new standards for the use of restraints and seclusion that must be met by psychiatric residential treatment facilities providing service to Medicaid beneficiaries under age 21. The rule adds a requirement that these facilities, which are rapidly outnumbering hospitals as an alternative for children with psychiatric disorders, inform HCFA of any deaths involving restraints and seclusion. It also stipulates that restraints and seclusion in a Medicaid-covered facility may only be performed under the supervision of a physician, registered nurse, or other licensed practitioner permitted by the state to issue such orders, and who has been trained in the use of emergency interventions. The rule took effect May 22, 2001.
Calendar
|
|||
|
Click
Map For
Arkansas Hospitals |
||
 |
||