AMC Recognized by DOH for Patient Safety Initiative

SARANAC LAKE  - Out of 400 hospitals statewide that applied for the 2006 Patient Safety Award competition, Adirondack Medical Center was one of ten health care facilities recognized with an honorable mention by the New York State Department of Health Public Health Council for its skin integrity quality improvement project. 

      In a special ceremony held in New York City on May 12th, NYS Health Commissioner, Dr. Antonia C. Novello, presented seven grant awards totaling $1.2 million to health care facilities in Albany, New York, Queens, Tompkins and Westchester counties.  Adirondack Medical Center and two other facilities from Kings and Westchester counties were presented with certificates of recognition.  Out of the ten health care facilities acknowledged with an award, four New York state hospitals were recognized, two with 200 beds or more, and two with less than 200 beds.  First place in the under 200-bed category went to New York Hospital Downtown in New York City with Adirondack Medical Center placing second with honorable mention for its commitment to developing patient safety initiatives.

      "This comprehensive initiative has fostered the development of quality assurance measures which build on New York's reputation as a national leader in patient safety," Dr. Novello said.  "Governor Pataki has made health care a central issue in his stewardship of New York State and his commitment to supporting such programs has helped expand patient's access to the highest quality health care available."

      The New York State Patient Safety Awards program recognizes those health care facilities that have developed innovative patient safety measures.  The health care facilities that received the awards are committed to working with the State Health Department on an ongoing basis to develop and promote ways to further improve patient safety.

      With a goal to eliminate bedsores in patients admitted to the hospital, AMC assembled an interdisciplinary team that included the Medical Unit Nursing Director and Clinical Supervisor along with the Infection Control Practitioner.  Staff from Uihlein Mercy Center helped to educate the AMC team to properly identify skin integrity issues.  The AMC team met and worked collaboratively to identify needed product availability and protocols to produce and successfully implement the skin integrity patient safety project.  A multi-prong approach was begun including continued staff education, implementing active skin rounds on patients, and making documentation accurate, consistent and user friendly.  As a result, AMC and nursing home data clearly illustrates a dramatic reduction in bedsores of patients.

      Representing Adirondack Medical Center at the awards ceremony in New York City were Chandler Ralph, President & CEO, Margaret Sorensen, MSN, Vice President of Patient Care Services, David Mader, BSN, Patient Care Director of the Medical Unit, and Patti McGrath, RN, Clinical Supervisor of the Medical Unit.

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