The critical care units at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph and Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles were among only 37 hospitals and health care systems in the country to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for their work in improving health care-associated infections. Lakeland received a Sustained Improvement Award for Achievements in Eliminating Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia and Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections.

The recognition was administered through the HHS Office of Healthcare Quality and the Critical Care Societies Collaborative (CCSC). The CCSC is composed of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, the American College of Chest Physicians, and the American Thoracic Society of Critical Care Medicine. Representatives from Lakeland accepted the award May 2 during the American Association of Critical Care Nurses 2011 National Teaching Institute and Critical Care Exposition in Chicago.

“This award is the result of a deliberate effort by a multidisciplinary team to engage a specific set of care processes over an extended period of time designed to achieve this outcome,” said Dr. Stephen Hempel, medical director, Critical Care Services, Lakeland HealthCare. “Lakeland was one of only 10 hospitals in this group to achieve a sustained reduction in both ventilator-acquired pneumonia and bloodstream infections. The nurses, respiratory therapists and all members of our healthcare team should be extremely proud that their dedication and hard work resulted in this excellent patient-centered success.”

Since 2004, Lakeland HealthCare has voluntarily participated in the Michigan Health and Hospital Association’s Keystone: ICU patient safety collaborative, which seeks to make intensive care unit care safer by reducing infections and improving quality.

In an article written by Spencer Johnson, president of Michigan Health & Hospital Association, he states that between March 2004 and March 2010, Keystone: ICU saved 1,830 lives, prevented 140,700 excess hospital days, and saved $300 million in health care costs. These results garnered the attention of the HHS, which is now recognizing hospitals that have adopted Michigan’s patient-safety model.

“This award is a huge accomplishment and honor, representing the dedication of our multidisciplinary team that provides state-of-the-art care for our most critically ill patients,” said Maureen Bishop, clinical nurse specialist, Lakeland HealthCare.

Bishop points out, however, that it’s not necessarily the “high-tech” procedures that have the greatest effect on patient safety, but the routine care practices that play a large role.

Jim Rockhill, infection preventionist, Lakeland HealthCare, echoes Bishop’s assessment: “The critical care unit staff at both acute facilities has kept abreast of the latest literature and techniques for improving patient outcomes, not only accepting the changes this entails, but embracing them and making them part of their everyday practice. They have proven that evidence can change practice, and improvements in practice save lives.”

Eileen Willits, vice president of patient care services/chief nurse executive and co-chief quality officer, added, “By following evidence-based, best practices interventions, our teams who care for patients in our critical care units at Lakeland have saved lives, reduced hospital stays, and reduced costs for patients and the health care system.”

For more information about the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Healthcare Quality awards, go to www.hhs.gov/ash/initiatives/hai.