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Pinckneyville Community Hospital Showcases Quality Improvement Initiative

April 12, 2019

PHOTO: Blake Thornton pictured with Pinckneyville Community Hospital’s project board at the Illinois State Capitol.


A Pinckneyville Community Hospital initiative to "Reducing patient injuries by adopting a just culture" was on display in the State Capitol on April 3, as part of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association's (IHA) Quality Advocacy Showcase. Blake Thornton, CPHQ, CPPS, Process Improvement Coordinator at Pinckneyville Community Hospital met with legislators to share how the initiative has benefited patients, families and communities while reducing healthcare costs.

Thornton was among over 100 hospital and health system leaders from across Illinois who met with legislators about their efforts to improve patient care and safety. In sum, 90 hospitals and health systems showcased their improvement projects at the event.

"Creating relationships with other hospitals, and working with those hospitals to address state legislatures about pressing issues was a great experience," stated Blake Thornton, Process Improvement Coordinator at Pinckneyville Community Hospital. "Talking to the legislators about the direct impact that quality and safety has on overall patient outcomes was invaluable."

With a focus on patient safety, Pinckneyville Community Hospital's project considers human behavior and system design related to occurrences and related outcomes in the hospital environment. The hospital invested $11,600.00 and saw a cost savings of $106,000.00. This project works to improve patient safety, improve employee morale, and improves quality of care.

IHA's Quality Advocacy Showcase, in its fourth year, visually demonstrates the work of physicians, nurses, quality improvement leaders and hospital administrators to develop and implement solutions to improve care. IHA produced one 30-by-42-inch poster per hospital or health system project for the event.

"The Showcase gives hospital leaders and frontline staff an important opportunity to share their efforts to advance quality care," said IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi. "It's essential that policymakers and elected officials see how Illinois hospitals are doing more to serve their patients and communities-through innovation and practical strategies that improve outcomes."

 

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CONTACT: Jennifer Barbour, 618-357-8898