Outpatient Surgery Magazine, providing current information on Surgical Services, Surgical Facility Administration, Outpatient Surgery News and Trends, OR Excellence and more.
Issue link: http://outpatientsurgery.uberflip.com/i/964269
Medicare.gov also makes it possible for consumers to directly compare the performance of three institutions simultaneously. Despite variations in performance metrics and methodologies among these and other data sources, consumers can expect to find a high degree of consistency of evaluation in cross-checking one database against the next. However, there is enough uncertainty and complexity in the way these results are presented that creates additional challenges for hospitals that are not as highly rated as others, and for prospective patients as well. For example, Medicare.gov provides an assessment of an individual hospital's performance compared to all hospitals nationwide for each of its seven categories of quality measurements that make up its overall rating. (Below National Average, Same as National Average or Above National Average) However, consumers must further navigate the site to determine how much lower or above the national average a hospital scores for each quality measurement and decide, without guidance, if the difference is statistical significant enough to impact their hospital selection decision. In this regard, 68% of the patients at one low-scoring institution reported their pain "was always well controlled." The national average was only slightly higher (71%), raising the question whether the consumer or hospital should be con- cerned about these numbers. Whether rankings are expressed as a number of stars, numerical value or percentage of approval, the compiled statistics by and large do not account for the demographic differences among patient bases that can influence subjective responses in patient questionnaires. Age, household income, education and even language barriers - in addition to cognitive and emotional factors - can influence the perception of the patient experience. ORen, patient satisfaction is colored by the degree of satisfaction with the clinical outcome, itself, regardless of the level of care. On one hand, clinicians and hospital administrators fully understand the need to reduce HAIs and readmissions, and they are required to track and report the incidence of these and other quantifiable issues that impact patient outcomes. In these areas, the numbers don't lie. And full accountability is easy to assign. More problematic is the ability to document the patient's perception of care in a way that accurately aligns with the quality of services that is actually delivered. Technology, professional competency, and institutional best practices play critical roles in any hospital's ability to improve its performance and sustain excellence. But highly-ranked institutions also understand that human factors including effective communication, compassion, empathy and a comforting bedside manner must be effectively weaponized to combat their patients' selective recollection of their hospital stay. Message from the President Welcome to the inaugural edition of Managing Risk, Getinge's chronicle of surgical workflows. Let me take this opportunity to share with you the intent of this quarterly newsleXer. Our company strongly believes that innovation in any field of endeavor should always serve to deliver a beXer solution to an existing problem. In the healthcare industry, these problems invariably involve some degree of clinical, operational and financial risk. Some of these risks are more obvious than others. As you well know, the consequences of HAIs in all of their forms are well documented, but other risk factors can be somewhat difficult to quantify. Nevertheless, they, too, can have a significant impact on patient outcomes. In the pages of Managing Risk, you can expect to discover the ways in which Getinge is dedicated to help you understand and mitigate the risks associated with your institution's infection control strategies and surgical protocols. For example, our company's commitment to help you manage risk is the reason why our Maquet Meera Mobile Operating Tables have been de- signed with a compact, concave base that allows members of the surgical team, to stand as close as possible to the patient to reduce muscle and mental fatigue during lengthy procedures. It's also why our surgical lighting systems provide an evenly distributed deep column of light that surgeons prefer at more comfortable lower illumination seXings. Because more light isn't always the best light – especially at peak intensity levels that oRen result in unwanted glare, extreme eye fatigue and distorted color perception. In this issue, you'll learn how Getinge's Maquet Variop Modular Room System can help future- proof the footprint for heavily-equipped and high-traffic areas in your OR, ICU, ER and central sterile department. So, your institution can help avoid the significant financial and operational risks associated with permanent stick-built, sheetrock construction that can't always accommodate emerging technologies and changing patient care strategies. You'll also discover how Getinge's new 9100E Cart Washer-Disinfector lets you re-use warm water from previous wash cycles to reduce water, energy and detergent consumption while ensuring the quality and safety of this recycled water. It's just one more real-world example of operational and financial risk management. So please read on and tell us what you think about the value of this information. We look forward to receiving your feedback. Chris Odom President, Surgical Workflows USA Continued from front cover