JSMC reaches clinical safety milestone
January 30, 2012
HOPKINSVILLE—For the past 12 months, Jennie Stuart Medical Center has had no cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia among patients in the Intensive Care Unit.
“This milestone can be attributed to the dedication and collaboration of the ICU nurses and respiratory therapists. Their success has been attained by their desire for positive patient outcomes, and they are proud of this accomplishment,” Gerame Wells, MD, medical director of the ICU the past two years, says.
“Safety targets like this are important to patients and the public. Our entire management team salutes the hard work of the ICU and respiratory staff under the leadership and guidance of Dr. Wells to achieve this significant, quality-care anniversary for the benefit of patients,” Eric Lee, president & CEO, JSMC, says.
Staff achieved the milestone by implementing a treatment protocol using evidence-based practice for ventilated patients and then following that protocol to the letter for every patient every time.
The ICU is an 18-bed, state-of-the-art critical care area. The unit was designed to allow constant observation by a nurse during a patient's stay. Forty critical care nurses and 18 technicians from the Respiratory Therapy department care for more than 1,000 critical care patients per year.
JSMC is a private, not-for-profit health organization that includes an acute-care medical center; free-standing outpatient surgery, medical imaging, laboratory, and rehabilitation services; and an integrated physician network. Read more online at www.jsmc.org. |