The Partnership for Patients is a public-private partnership that will help improve the quality, safety, and affordability of health care for all Americans. It brings together leaders of major hospitals, employers, physicians, nurses, and patient advocates along with state and federal governments in a shared effort to make hospital care safer, more reliable, and less costly.
Through the Partnership for Patients, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) contracted with 26 state and national organizations to create hospital engagement networks (HENs) to promote the use of strategies that foster a culture of safety and offer opportunities for hospitals to participate in projects to reduce adverse events, as well as prevent complications and readmissions. HCIF is a subcontractor to the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, which is one of the hospital engagement networks.
CMS selected Obstetric Adverse Events as one of its 11 top priorities under the Partnership for Patients program. CMS estimates that 30% of adverse obstetrical events are preventable. They have challenged organizations across the U.S. to reduce these events by 50% by December 2013.
The goals, strategies and measures for this collaborative were developed by a 30-member OB Advisory Panel representing 18 Pennsylvania hospitals and healthsystems that includes obstetricians, nurse midwives, anesthesiologists, a neonatologist, OB nurse leaders, nursing executives, patient safety experts, a public health advisor, and a patient/family representative. The panel was instrumental in establishing the scope of the collaborative, which includes:
· Reduction of early elective deliveries (non-medically indicated deliveries 37<=39 weeks' gestation);
· Safe administration of oxytocin;
· Prompt treatment and recognition of post-partum hemorrhage.
The collaborative launched in May 2012 with two regional kick-off conferences held on May 22, 2012 in Philadelphia and on May 30, 2012 in Monroeville. Collaborative members will also participate in a webinar series; networking calls; and a mid-point conference.
For more information on the OB Adverse Events Collaborative, contact Pam Braun, RN, MSN, Senior Director of Patient Safety Partnerships and Initiatives, at pbraun@hcifonline.org or at 215-575-3756.