Safety is a core value at Sentara Health. Our number one commitment is to “always keep you safe,” and we incorporate high reliability principles in our mission to have zero events of preventable harm.
Sentara made a commitment to consumer and colleague safety beginning in 2002 and was one of the country's first healthcare organizations to adopt such a strong safety culture.
Our program initiatives and quality metrics are focused on improving patient safety. We strive for zero events of “preventable harm” across our health system.
Some of our top quality metrics to improve safety and reduce patient harm include:
- We have reduced the number of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in patients by 64 percent over the last nine years.
- We have reduced the number of medication-related errors by improving barcode medication administration scanning rates to over 95% compliance in our nursing units and perioperative areas.
- We have improved overall early sepsis management by 209 percent over the last four years.
- We have improved our patient satisfaction rankings by 27 percent over the last three years.
National Industry Quality Recognitions
Sentara not only meets the highest national industry standards and benchmarks for delivering high quality and safe care, we push to exceed them. Reflecting this, we consistently achieve top quality awards and accolades. Sentara excels in outcomes for mortality, complications, healthcare associated infections (HAIs), length of stay (LOS), emergency department wait times, episode costs and patient experience.
Third-party Ratings and Rankings
There are several organizations that independently rate or rank healthcare providers. They include the Federal Government, American Nurses Credentialing Center, DNV Healthcare, and others.
10 of our hospitals have achieved Magnet Recognition Program® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the highest quality designation for nursing and one that ANCC only awards to eight percent of hospitals nationwide.
The majority of our hospitals are consistently earning 4 and 5 star ratings from CMS, with a 5 star rating demonstrating the highest level of quality and patient safety.
Use the links below to learn more about how third parties determine quality rankings and ratings.
Keeping You Informed
We know how important it is for you to have the best information available so you can make sound decisions about your health care. That's why we provide information about our quality measures and how we compare to national standards. We also provide background on what quality means and what questions to ask when selecting a health care provider or hospital. And, if you have any questions about this information, we are here to answer them.