Nearly 400 California hospitals have pledged to lower preventable hospital-acquired conditions and hospital readmissions as part of a federal quality initiative.
More Golden State hospitals have agreed to participate in the federal Partnership for Patients initiative than any other state in the nation. The project, which is being led by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, aims to decrease preventable hospital-acquired conditions by 40% and hospital readmissions by 20% by the end of 2013. Officials at CMS estimate that achieving these goals will prevent more than 3.4 million injuries and complications nationwide.
"Under the Partnership for Patients initiative, we are providing support to help hospitals provide high-quality care and keep their patients healthy," Dr. Richard Gilfillan, director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, said in a statement. "Participating in this initiative will help California hospitals improve health outcomes and reduce complications for their patients."
Hospitals are getting some federal support under the initiative. The federal government has awarded $218 million to 26 organizations that are serving as Hospital Engagement Networks. These networks are developing learning collaboratives for hospitals, conducting training programs, providing technical assistance, identifying and disseminating best practices, and establishing systems for tracking and monitoring hospital progress in meeting quality improvement goals.