Chairperson's File
Apr 1, 2013
April is National Minority Health Month. Launched in April 2001 by the National Minority Health Foundation, National Minority Health Month addresses the needs of African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans and other minority populations. To commemorate the occasion, Equity of Care is…
Mar 25, 2013
The chair files highlight stories of hospitals and health systems that are implementing innovative practices and streamlined processes to improve the quality of health care for patients in their communities. We encourage you to submit your hospital, health system or association's story to hpoe@aha.…
Mar 18, 2013
The Backyard Initiative at Allina Health, based in Minnesota, is truly taking care beyond hospital walls. BYI focuses on seven neighborhoods that surround Allina's Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Phillips Eye Institute, and corporate headquarters and are home to many residents with poor health…
Mar 11, 2013
Effective care transitions programs can do more than improve patient care: patients learn to manage their own health and can avoid a hospital readmission. Thomasville (NC) Medical Center, a 146-bed hospital, implemented its TMC to Home program in July 2011 to target at-risk patients with acute MI,…
Mar 4, 2013
A commitment to diversity came first. That was followed by specific action projects to increase diversity in management and leadership and increase cultural proficiency in health care. In early 2006, an ad hoc committee at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, reviewed the organization's work…
Feb 25, 2013
Does your hospital huddle? Staff in the medical-surgical unit at Fairbanks (AK) Memorial Hospital is implementing huddles and other strategies to reduce falls among inpatients. Unit staff determined that a huddle called immediately after a patient falls is crucial for learning and helping to…
Feb 11, 2013
Today we need leaders who can help address the challenges and maximize the tremendous opportunities for transformation and innovation in the U.S. health care system. AHA's intensive interactive Health Care Transformation Fellowship provides senior health care leaders with the implementation…
Feb 4, 2013
From flexible visiting hours to family-centered rounds, hospitals are encouraging patients and families to become involved in their care. A new report from the AHA Committee on Research “Engaging Health Care Users: A Framework for Healthy Individuals and Communities” presents a…
Jan 28, 2013
Central line-associated bloodstream infections cause serious illness and death. Front-line caregivers in 100 neonatal intensive care units in nine states—caring for 8,400 newborn patients—used prevention practice checklists and improved communication to prevent an estimated 131 CLABSIs…
Jan 14, 2013
Imagine being hospitalized for a serious illness and being unable to communicate with nurses or doctors because you did not speak their language and could not read your own language. Add to that: having no insurance and no clue what the diagnosis meant. About 10 years ago, a Mexican immigrant was…