Sutter Health will spend $10 million over the next two years on improving patient safety, with one focus on reducing healthcare-acquired infections.
Sutter Health has long focused on quality improvements and patient safety and the factors that contribute to safe medical outcomes, Sutter executives said. The network invests in patient-oriented information technology, such as medication bar coding, the electronic intensive care unit and the electronic health record.
The Betty Irene Moore Nursing Initiative of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has awarded Sutter a $3.6 million grant, the third multi-million dollar award it has given the health network. Sutter Health has committed an additional $7.2 million for the patient safety projects.
"Our desire is to change the fundamental approach to the culture of care we provide our patients on a daily basis," said John Mesic, MD, chief medical officer and vice president of integrated quality services for the Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region. "Sutter's ongoing partnership with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation allows us to study the effectiveness of these changes, as well as the improvement in patient care."
Mesic said the most recent grant and matching funds would focus on quality improvement in two specific clinical areas and would also help Sutter continue education programs.
The grant will help Sutter Health to:
- Implement new approaches to reduce the incidence and mortality rates of severe sepsis and septic shock. These are serious conditions that spread through the bloodstream and can lead to organ failure and death;
- Support programs to reduce the number of patients experiencing hypo and hyperglycemic episodes (significant fluctuations in blood sugar) and improve the number of patients maintaining blood glucose within normal ranges.
- Further implement quality improvement programs to support RN leadership and development and foster improved communication among medical personnel, administration and patients.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation previously awarded the Sutter Health network nearly $8.3 million to expand and develop model patient safety programs in six of its Bay Area hospitals. This latest grant expands Sutter Health and the foundation's partnership to include hospitals in the greater Sacramento region.
"The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is pleased to be supporting Sutter Health for these important initiatives, which will make a significant and positive impact on the lives of patients and their families," said Marybeth Sharpe, program director of the Betty Irene Moore Nursing Initiative.
