From the Desk of the Executive Director on moving the patient needle in long-term care.
By Michael Wong, JD (Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety)
Has the Patient Safety Needle Moved?
As a patient safety advocate, I am often asked at this time of year (the end of one year and the start of the next) whether the patient safety needle has been moved. In other words, has the patient safety needle moved topwards getting better or worse?
Now, in prior years, I must confess that my answer most likely depended on what had happened before the question had been asked about whether the patient safety needle had moved – did I just speak with a mother who had lost a child? (no, the patient safety needle hasn’t improved); did I just speak with a chief medical officer about how he is managing adverse events (yes, the patient safety has improved)?
This Year the Patient Safety Needle Has Moved!
I am pleased to say that this year, I know definitively how to answer the question of whether the patient safety needle has moved. Through the Enhanced Respiratory Care Program, we now have a measure of improvement. As of December 15, 2023, 9 healthcare facilities across 5 states in the United States (Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, and New York) have been accredited by the Enhanced Respiratory Care Program. You may have seen some of the announcements:
- West Meade Place Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Nashville, Tennessee was the first facility to be accredited.
- Health Center at Standifer Place was the first to be accredited in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- Generations at Oakton Pavillion was the first healthcare facility in Illinois and in the mid-west.
- Auburn Village was the first skilled nursing facility in Indiana.
Enhanced Respiratory Care Accredited Facilities Have Moved the Patient Safety Needle
Another 5 Enhanced Respiratory Care Accreditation announcements will soon be made. Here is the list of the 9 healthcare facilities that have achieved Enhanced Respiratory Care Accreditation:
Hawaii
- Islands Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation, 1205 Alexander Street, Honolulu, HI 96826
- Kulana Malama , 91-1360 Karayan Street, Ewa Beach, HI 96706
Illinois
- Generations at Oakton Pavillion, 1660-1665 Oakton Place, Des Plaines, IL 60018
- Generations at Regency Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation, 6631 N. Milwaukee, Niles, IL 60714
Indiana
- Auburn Village Rehabilitation and Post-Acute Care , 1751 Wesley Road, Auburn, IN 46706
New York
- Medford MultiCare Center, 3115 Horseblock Road, Medford, NY 11763
- Sands Point Center for Health & Rehabilitation , 1440 Port Washington Boulevard, Port Washington, NY 11050
Tennessee
- The Health Center at Standifer Place, 2626 Walker Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421
- West Meade Place Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, 1000 St. Luke Drive, Nashville, TN 37205
For the local communities in Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, and New York, families can now be assured that, when their loved ones are sent to an Enhanced Respiratory Care Accredited facility, they will now know that that facility has met or exceeded the Enhanced Respiratory Care Standards of Care.
I want like to personally thank Breas, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, and Vapotherm for their educational support of the Enhanced Respiratory Care Program, and for their belief in our mission to improve patient safety and the quality of patient care.