INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) recognized 116 of Indiana’s hospitals today for their work to reduce patient harm by 40 percent and readmissions by 20 percent over the past three years. The recognition is based on the results of a national campaign known as Partnership for Patients, created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve quality and patient safety at hospitals nationwide.

IHA partnered with 116 Indiana hospitals to form a statewide engagement network, Coalition for Care, to participate with the American Hospital Association’s Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET) in this ambitious initiative. These hospitals have come together to work collaboratively on patient safety efforts, and not compete on safety.

In the last three years, there have been 3,800 participants in educational programs for continued quality and patient safety improvement. IHA has held numerous educational sessions and patient safety summits that have addressed readmissions, falls, pressure ulcers and patient and family engagement, efforts which have helped support the improvements made by Indiana hospitals.

“This is proof that efforts to identify harms and reduce readmissions are working. Our hospitals should be commended for their continued commitment to improving patient care,” said Doug Leonard, president of the Indiana Hospital Association.

In 2014, 59 regional patient safety coalition meetings were held across the state. Lean Six Sigma training has been instrumental, with 297 Lean Six Sigma green belts and 176 Lean Six Sigma black belts. There are now 68 hospitals with patient and family advisory councils. 

“Indiana hospitals have had many accomplishments in the past three years, and will continue this work in 2015 to improve the overall health and well-being of our state,” added Leonard.