Closing the Communication Loop

Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, worked to create a highly reliable system for follow up of unexpected radiologic findings, improving timeliness of care.

It's one thing to develop or improve a process that is “routine,” it is another thing to develop a dependable process for something that may occur. That's what the team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, set out to do in order to improve patient care. A search of the latest research revealed that there is no accepted and proven model for a highly reliable system for communication and documentation of unexpected radiologic findings such as incidental pulmonary nodules and renal masses. A lack of timely follow up by the appropriate caregiver can result in delayed or missed treatment and adverse patient events. Third-party technology solutions that assist with these result notifications can be cost-prohibitive and inflexible. Read the whole case study below (click 'view item').

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.)