Statement from Aline Holmes, DNP, RN
Senior Vice President of Clinical Affairs
Director of the NJHA Institute for Quality and Patient Safety
May 7, 2014
N.J. Efforts Mirror National Data in Improved Patient Safety, Reduced Readmissions
“New Jersey’s experience mirrors what the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is reporting on a national level: Hospitals’ quality improvement efforts are yielding results in improved care and patient safety.
“New Jersey hospitals participating in our Partnership for Patients-New Jersey initiative have achieved significant results, including:
- An overall 30 percent average reduction in 11 hospital-acquired conditions during 2011 and 2012, outpacing the 9 percent national average reported by CMS.
- An 8.7 percent decrease in 30-day hospital readmission rate between 2012 and 2013, compared with the national average of 8 percent. New Jersey’s 2013 rate was 19.8 percent; that’s progress, but more work remains to bring down the rate even further.
“New Jersey’s results are part of a focused and sustained commitment by the healthcare professionals in our hospitals – executives, physicians, nurses and the rest of the healthcare team creating a culture of quality. It’s a drumbeat that is taking strong hold and producing results.
“For patients, this work means care that is better and safer, with fewer complications and faster recoveries. And for our healthcare system, this work results in lower healthcare costs.
“As we celebrate Nurses Week this week, and Hospital Week next week, NJHA applauds all of our team members for working together to make healthcare better for New Jersey residents.”
Today’s CMS announcement can be found at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2014pres/05/20140507a.html. Details on New Jersey data for hospital-acquired conditions for 2011 to 2012 can be found here Partnership for Patients-New Jersey: One-Year Status Update.
