Hospital to be named a national model for ICU care
May 12, 2009 - WILLIAMSBURG, VA - Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center recently marked five consecutive years with zero cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
This is a pneumonia that develops in patients who have been on mechanical ventilation for 48 hours or more. Further emphasizing the significance of this accomplishment, VHA, a voluntary national organization focused on health care financial performance through clinical excellence and supply chain management, plans to “blueprint” the practices at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center as a model for hospitals across the country.
“Our team of physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists is always focused on delivering excellent patient care in the ICU and throughout the hospital,” says John Kaiser, M.D., intensivist at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. “This milestone speaks to the superior outcomes enjoyed by some of the hospital’s frailest patients, as well as patients with a wide range of medical needs and conditions.”
Hospital acquired infections not only compromise the health of the patient, but they add to the costly provision of health care. Some estimates say that these infections add between $4.5 and $5.7 billion dollars to the annual cost of health care in this country. Much emphasis has been placed in recent years on the reduction of hospital acquired infections, many of which were at one time considered an inevitable event for many patients.
Being named as a “blueprint” program from VHA means that SWRMC’s success with the prevention of this costly infection will serve as a valuable education tool for other hospitals. Representatives from the organization will conduct a site visit to identify specific care practices that may help other providers make improvements.
“While we celebrate this accomplishment and recognition, we also remain focused on continuing to provide the very best and safest care,” adds Kaiser.
Read more about Sentara's commitment to preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia.
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