Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Finding the Needle in the Haystack: Critical Care's Journey to Zero VAPs

The critical care unit identified VAP as an area for improvement, with three VAPs from May-July 2011 and five from May-October 2011. The hospital identified best practices, developed engaged staff and physician champions, achieved multidisciplinary collaboration and identified opportunities to celebrate. As of May 2012, they improved their clinical outcomes related to VAP and have been without a VAP in critical care for seven months.

Read the whole case study below (click "view item").

This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)