Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Toward 100 Percent Compliance

Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu, Hawaii, used "a novel approach" to implementing quality measures for children's asthma care. It integrated these inpatient measures with the medical home. Kapi'olani aimed for 100 percent compliance with the Joint Commission?s three core measures for children?s asthma care. It also worked toward "reestablishing care in the medical home by confirmation of 100 percent patient compliance with the follow-up appointment," says Wallace J. Matthews, Jr., M.D., medical director, respiratory care. A multidisciplinary task force focused on using the EMR, establishing an asthma order set, educating front-line workers and establishing best practice reminders for physicians. As a result, the first two core measures have been above 90 percent compliance since January 2008, and the third core measure has been at 100 percent compliance since March 2010. More than 80 percent of patients now attend their follow-up appointment. Contact Matthews at wmatthews@pol.net.