Improve
Performance improvement collaboratives provide an opportunity for members to accelerate improvement in specific areas. They deliver:
- Research, insights and coaching provided by subject matter experts
- Opportunities to network with other members
- Outcomes measurement, benchmarking and comparative analytics
- A proven improvement structure, project toolkit and milestones, and other resources
- Facilitation and guidance both nationally through Vizient Inc., and regionally through Vizient Southern States’ cohorts
2018 Performance Improvement Collaboratives
- Diabetes Management
- Emergency Department (ED) Behavioral Health
- Joy in the Workplace
- Managing Back Pain and Spinal Surgery
- Opioid Stewardship
- Reducing Risk of Failure to Rescue
2018 Comparative Reports
- Financial Operations
- Human Resources
- Patient Satisfaction
Member Spotlight
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Golden Triangle is a 315-bed acute care hospital located in Columbus, Mississippi. It has been caring for residents in the East Mississippi and West Alabama areas for more than 45 years. With more than 100 physicians and surgeons representing nearly every medical specialty, they provide a full range of comprehensive medical services.
Challenge
Across the nation, there has been an epidemic of overprescribing opioids, and hospitals have increasingly focused more on finding a solution to this problem. New Joint Commission standards and interest from Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation prompted Baptist Memorial Hospital – Golden Triangle to pursue a reduction in opioid utilization within the hospital and reduce the number of opioid prescriptions generated for discharged patients.
Solution
In 2016, the hospital began a project to combat this issue in the Emergency Department (ED). In collaboration with ED leadership, Pharmacy developed reports to track opioid utilization, opioid prescriptions issued and the quantity prescribed. These reports were then communicated back to the ED medical staff.
In 2018, Baptist – Golden Triangle started participating in the Vizient Opioid Stewardship Collaborative to connect and learn from their peers, develop strategies to change policies, implement guidelines to improve opioid management and report their findings.
Results
From December 2016 to December 2018, the hospital realized a 30 percent decrease in opioid doses administered in the emergency department. They also saw a 44 percent decrease in doctor-ordered opioid prescriptions at the time of discharge for the same time period.
During our opioid utilization reduction project, Jim Lichauer at Vizient Inc. facilitated our involvement in the Vizient Opioid Stewardship Collaborative, which further helped us learn strategies to track and reduce usage of opioids at our hospital. It was also critical to have regional support from Vizient Southern States to keep us on task and succeed.
Ben Hughes
Director of Pharmacy, Baptist Memorial Hospital – Golden Triangle
To learn more or to participate, contact us at info@vizientsouthernstates.com or (770) 850-7400.