Core Measures--Appropriate Care for Every Patient Every Time

The goal was to eliminate all variances in the clinical process measures to ensure that patients who present with one or more of the four diagnoses under core measures receive 100 percent appropriate and timely evidence-based care.

A multidisciplinary team immediately reviewed each variance to determine the root cause and take action to prevent reoccurrence. Through real-time case identification and daily house-wide communication; weekly multidisciplinary meetings led by the CEO; ongoing education and constant communication with nursing and physicians; and enhancing their processes through systems thinking, the health center was able to reduce variances in each measure within months.

The goal of 100 percent appropriate care was maintained through zero variances for nine consecutive months for the heart failure and acute myocardial infarction patient population, and for eight consecutive months for pneumonia patients. The last surgery patient variance was in February 2012.

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This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)