Mentored Implementation

The Hospitalist. 2009 November;2009(11):

November 1, 2009 | The Hospitalist

“We’re looking at testing models where we have a one-to-one mentoring program, compared to a one-to-five mentoring program,” says Jane Kelly-Cummings, RN, CPHQ, SHM’s senior director of quality initiatives.

Kerr also sees opportunities to expand the scope without sacrificing the customized approach. “We are looking for ways to expand the reach of each individual effort. Right now, customization means that mentored implementation is more like building a Ferrari than a Ford,” she says. “We need to do some ‘train the trainer’ models and explore ways to reach more hospitals simultaneously.”

For Dr. Rogers, his experience with mentored implementation and QI has strengthened his resolve to help hospitalists get it right.

“We have a lot to learn to do this effectively. We have 5,000 hospitals out there and hospitalists are naturally looked at as leaders within the institution,” he says. “The failure of one hospitalist quality-improvement program affects all of us, so success is key. This is one of the most effective tools for doing it.” TH

Brandon Shank is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia.

Hospital Care Collaborative: HM joins partnership aimed at better patient care

While collaboration between hospitalists is important, so is collaboration between specialists on the hospital floor.

Hospital Care Collaborative Member Organizations

American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC)
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
Case Manager Society of America (CMSA)
Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care (SSWLHC)
Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM)

That’s the idea behind the new Hospital Care Collaborative (HCC), a group of six national medical organizations that, together, represent hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals.

HCC member organizations represent a wide range of hospital-based specialties, from case managers to respiratory therapists.

“This is an important sea change in how healthcare is delivered at our nation’s hospitals,” says Scott Flanders, MD, FHM, president of SHM.

After meeting in Philadelphia in August, the HCC committed to 13 common principles for providing care in the hospital setting. The principles emphasize the need for collaboration and a focus on patient-centered care, accountability, and information sharing.

The HCC’s members are committed to identifying and disseminating best practices in multidisciplinary teamwork and expanding collaboration between each organization.

“Our patients will benefit when the entire healthcare team is mobilized to provide the best care we can all muster for their benefit,” Dr. Flanders says. “SHM is committed to working closely with our health professional allies—nursing, pharmacy, social work, case managers, and respiratory therapists—to make this happen.”

For more information, visit www.hospitalmedicine.org.

Letters

The Unique Potential of Hospitalists as Leaders in Healthcare Reform

The usual first response when a physician is asked, “Why do you practice medicine?” is “to help people.” This is especially true for younger practitioners. A frequent second response is “I like the independence.” As physicians, we enjoy being our own boss and calling the shots.

Chapter Updates

New Jersey

CHANG/

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The New Jersey chapter met Sept. 10 at Fiorino’s Restaurant in Summit. The meeting consisted of two discussions: the safe use of anticoagulation to reduce the likelihood of harm, and the current state of healthcare and how it will impact the hospitalist. There were 27 attendees from five HM groups in attendance.

Western Massachusetts

DENIS TANGNEY JR.

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The Western Massachusetts chapter met June 11 at Zen Restaurant in Northampton. The meeting included a dinner lecture by Richard Zuwallack, MD, FACCP, associate chief of pulmonary diseases at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Conn. His talk was titled “Optimizing the Management of COPD.” A discussion followed his presentation. Hospitalists from three local hospitals attended.