CMH receives Medicare excellence award
Calvert Memorial has received the 2004 Campaign for Medicare Excellence Award from the Delmarva Foundation. CMH, the only hospital in the region to receive this award for two consecutive years, was recognized for “significant and sustained” quality improvement. Specifically, Calvert achieved high marks for treating heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia patients – conditions that affect many Medicare patients. The Delmarva Foundation, founded in 1973, is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare quality improvement. The not-for-profit organization works with the federal government, state agencies and healthcare providers in over 20 states to improve care and to provide consumers with quality information to help them make informed choices.
“You’ve earned this award… you’ve set the standard,” said Dr. Harold Weiss at Calvert’s medical staff meeting in January. “Teamwork produced these results. This (award) demonstrates the staff’s commitment to success.” Weiss said Calvert Memorial’s use of information technology and evidence-based protocols “resulted in timely and consistent quality of care.”
Weiss along with Carol Shumaker, RN of the Delmarva Foundation presented the award to Dr. Robert Schlager, CMH chief of staff; Dr. Craig Jeschke, CMH vice chief of staff and Jim Xinis, CMH President and CEO.
In 2004, Calvert Memorial treated 86 patients who suffered a heart attack, 301 patients with heart failure and 352 patients with pneumonia. To qualify for the Delmarva award, CMH achieved 90 percent or better in 11 of 22 performance measures for six months or greater. The hospital also did well in preventing surgical infections.
The performance measures are selected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and are based on “best practice” or what has proven mosteffective over time. These indicators compare the quality of care provided by local health organizations against national guidelines for excellence.
For instance they look at how many heart attack patients receive aspirin upon admission and at discharge. Those who receive aspirin experience fewer complications including another heart attack. For the first six months of 2004, CMH logged 98 percent and 100 percent, respectively.
Other measures include the use of beta-blockers and ace inhibitors (these medications help to improve heart function and reduce the risk of another heart attack) and counseling smokers with cardiac and breathing problems to quit.
CMH was vigilant in checking to see if patients had received their vaccines for pneumonia and influenza (critical to preventing future infections). The staff was also effective in administering oxygen within the first 24 hours. This step results in fewer complications and shorter hospital stays. |
