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Providing high quality care to every patient in a safe environment is the goal of all hospitals and a daily focus of their activities. Consumers want more transparency and information about patient outcomes, and hospitals report a wide variety of quality information at both the state and national levels. Hospitals support the collection and dissemination of additional meaningful, useful information about quality of care. The Texas Legislature in the past two sessions has passed bills requiring that hospitals report health care-associated infections and health care-associated preventable adverse events. The Advisory Panel on Health Care-Associated Infections and Preventable Adverse Events guides the Texas Department of State Health Services in the implementation, development, maintenance and evaluation of the reporting system.
Learn more:
 Recording of Aug. 4 communications briefing call on expected Hearst story re: adverse events.
Synopsis of S.B. 288 (2007 legislative session)
Synopsis of S.B. 203 (2009 legislative session)
Synopsis of H.B. 1218 (2009 legislative session)
Public Accountability for Quality and Patient Safety Online Toolkit
On the CUSP: Stop BSI
Reducing Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infections
The Texas Hospital Association has been selected to participate in a landmark project to dramatically reduce or eliminate central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in hospital intensive care units. A central line is a catheter that is placed into a patient’s vein to administer frequent medications or fluids, or to draw blood. The line may stay in place for days or even weeks. The National Implementation of the Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program project (CUSP) also aims to improve the patient safety culture by 50 percent, as measured by the AHRQ Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture. Another goal of the project is to build state-level capacity to encourage adoption of innovative, evidence-based practices to improve quality safety.
Wristband Standardization Initiative
Texas hospitals are joining more than 25 other states to improve patient safety by adopting three standard wristband colors: Purple for do-not-resuscitate, red for allergies and yellow for fall risks. The patient safety benefits of standardizing wristband colors are well-documented. The investment in standard color wristbands and staff education will improve the workplace and provide patients with a safer care environment.
In spearheading this voluntary, statewide initiative, the Texas Hospital Association, Texas Organization of Nurse Executives, Texas A&M Health Science Center Rural and Community Health Institute, and TMF Health Quality Institute collaborated to provide the Color-coded Wristband Standardization Project in Texas toolkit as a benefit to Texas hospitals.
Web Site Lets Consumers Compare Hospital Quality
Hospital quality of care information is now available to the public through an innovative, consumer-friendly Web site – http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/. Hospital Compare will provide the public with useful and understandable information on hospital quality of care in an easily accessible way to assist patients, families and communities in making important health care decisions. Hospital Compare is the result the cooperation of the Hospital Quality Alliance, a landmark public-private partnership of hospitals, government agencies, quality experts, purchasers, consumer groups and other health care organizations.
What Hospitals Are Doing to Enhance Patient Safety (Best Practices and Safety Measures Report 2005)
Institute for Healthcare Improvement – Improvement Map
Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections
CDC Guidance on Public Reporting of Healthcare-Associated Infections: Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC)
APIC List of Resources on Mandatory Reporting (with embedded links) National Quality Forum Serious Reportable Events
Background on Adverse Events with THA Principles
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Hospital Acquired Conditions and Present on Admission Information
According to Texas Government Code 305.027, portions of this material may be considered “legislative advertising.” Authorization for its publication is made by John Hawkins, Texas Hospital Association, P.O. Box 679010, Austin, Texas 78767-9010.
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