DUBLIN, OH – Cardinal Health is joining forces with Ohio's business leaders and healthcare providers in an effort to improve patient safety in the state's hospitals.
The Dublin, Ohio-based developer of healthcare IT products, including technology to improve medication safety at the bedside, has, through its Cardinal Health Foundation, joined with the Ohio Business Roundtable, Central Ohio Hospital Council, Ohio Hospital Association and Ohio Children's Hospital Association to create Solutions for Patient Safety.
The foundation, initially funded by a $1.5 million investment from the Cardinal Health Foundation, will implement specific programs in 24 state hospitals that aim to reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and medication errors. The hospitals - 16 Central Ohio hospitals and the state's eight children's hospitals - will share information and best practices.
The initial effort will focus on reducing methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and catheter-assisted, blood-borne infections at the Central Ohio hospitals, while the children's hospitals will target surgical site infection rates for cardiac, neurosurgery and orthopedic procedures.
"One of the keys to driving a meaningful reduction in the cost of care is improving the quality of care," said R. Kerry Clark, chairman and CEO of Cardinal Health, in a press release. "It's clear that reducing HAIs and medication errors represents a great challenge and a great opportunity to drive measurable improvements in patient safety while reducing overall health care costs."
"Through Solutions for Patient Safety, my peer leaders and I are pledging our engagement and support to truly promoting a cultural shift at our institutions - to make patient safety an integral, uncompromised component of our cultures," said James M. Anderson, president and CEO of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. "We are coming together today to demonstrate that this is not just about a one-time initiative. It's about making Ohio the safest, best place in the nation for care - and we stand here today committed to this aspiration."
The partnership is expected to share its results this fall.
"Ohio is blessed to have some of the finest hospitals and healthcare companies in the country," said Gov. Ted Strickland. "And, I'm proud that they are taking this courageous step to join forces to improve patient safety. I believe this effort can be a key factor in improving the quality of care in our state while also helping to curb the rising cost of health care here in Ohio and across the nation."
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