Staff Teams Awarded for Achievements at Annual Patient Safety Expo

	Patient Safety Expo winners from Coler-Goldwater

Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility won the grand prize at HHC’s Patient Safety Expo 2013 for its success in reducing the use of unnecessary antipsychotic medications among patients with dementia. Coler-Goldwater also took home a First Prize in Long-Term Care and a People’s Choice Award.

Their impressive results and patient-centered approach to care was representative of all the 26 clinical team projects that were considered at HHC’s annual ceremony to recognize staff for their leadership in advancing safety across the organization.

A panel of judges ultimately selected the winning teams for their ability to best demonstrate alignment with HHC’s strategic goal of achieving the “Triple Aim” – better care, better health, lower costs and meet other criteria, including:

• Application of an evidence based practice;
• Sustained improvement over 12 months or more;
• Innovation and creativity;
• Replicability to other areas of care or HHC facilities.

The judging panel was composed of Christina L. Jenkins, M.D., HHC assistant vice president of primary care services and medical and professional affairs; Arnold Saperstein, M.D., president and CEO of MetroPlus Health Plan; and Mary Therriault, RN and MSN, senior director of quality and research initiatives of the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS).

Other prizewinners included:

• Jacobi Medical Center -- First Prize among acute care hospitals for reducing the incidence of catheter-related urinary tract infections.
• HHC Health and Home Care -- First Prize in community-based services for preventing unnecessary readmissions for patients receiving home care services.
• Bellevue Hospital Center and Elmhurst Hospital Center -- President’s Choice Award for their work to improve the management of severe sepsis.
• Metropolitan Hospital Center -- People’s Choice Award for reducing incidents of violence among behavioral health patients.

October 2013