Healthcare Quality Means Safe Care, Zero Harm

Healthcare Quality Week is upon us, and we certainly have quite a bit of growth to acknowledge as we celebrate the contributions that quality professionals have made in the field.

As an organization, Verge Health focuses on bringing greater awareness and the tool set necessary to drive healthcare quality. Collectively, the healthcare industry strives to deliver a seamless patient experience that includes improving quality while keeping patients safe. This objective requires transitioning safety from a reactive to a proactive priority.

So what are the major developments that deserve recognition based on our experience with more than 900 healthcare organizations nationwide?

Streamlining the System

Risk, safety, and quality roles are beginning to merge in hospitals as healthcare delivery organizations work toward the shared goal of improving quality and minimizing patient safety events. Quality management platforms have historically had a targeted focus around regulatory requirements and mandatory submissions providing interim snapshots of progress. However, healthcare IT vendors are expanding platforms to merge compliance with information on risk and safety and thereby offering data that create the opportunity for immediate action. The access to potential risk, past events, and claims adds another layer to quality management and allows hospitals to act in real time to improve patient outcomes and experience. By supporting risk, safety, and quality roles on a seamless platform, Verge has witnessed the beginnings of a seamless experience for patients and employees by reducing costs and providing better patient care.

Increased C-Suite Involvement

Many executive teams are acquiring more productive input from the clinicians they manage by promoting experienced physicians and nurses into C-suite roles. In addition, leadership positions are being created with the intention of expanding innovative thinking—such as Chief Patient Safety Officer, Chief Population Health Officer, and Chief Experience Officer. The onboarding of field-experienced professionals and the creation of new positions are broadening the type of experience and understanding of the C-suite, which increases collaboration across the board.

Pressure to Reduce Costs

Although beneficial, higher employment rates paired with expanded coverage for individuals is placing stress on care resources including inpatient capacity, operating room schedules, and care management resources. To keep both patient safety and satisfaction on an upward trajectory, leading hospitals are exploring capacity-command centers that combine systems-engineering principles (commonly seen in industries such as power and aviation) with predictive analytics to manage and optimize patient flow and reduce the risk of events and claims. With healthcare quality tied to reimbursement dollars, organizations must be hyperaware of changes in volume, length of stay, and readmissions.

With emerging technologies, legislation reform, and shifting demographics whirling around the healthcare industry, quality professionals will (and must) continue to evolve their approach and processes. Verge Health is proud to partner with such a dedicated and innovative group to help them reach their goals of safe care and zero harm.