At Adventist Health, our mission calls us to demonstrate the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. This means offering safe, quality care to patients who have entrusted us with their lives. Adventist Medical Center (AMC) in Portland, Ore., has taken this calling to a higher level and is getting national recognition for its efforts.
In a recent report released by the state of Oregon, AMC reported zero surgical-site infections in six specific areas: coronary artery bypass graft surgery, knee replacement, colon surgery, abdominal hysterectomy, hip replacement surgery and laminectomy. This information was recently published in the Oregon Healthcare Acquired Infections Report by the Office for Health Policy and Research and looks at data from as far back as 2009.
This document also shows reported infections from other Portland hospitals in the same categories. AMC is the only hospital to have no hospital-acquired surgical infections in six major categories.
"This is a major achievement for our team," says Carolyn Kozik, quality resources director. "We reached this goal because patient safety is at the top of our priority list. Our mission drives us to constantly seek new and safer ways of delivering patient care, while maintaining our focus on following best practices for preventing infections."
According to Tom Russell, hospital president and CEO, AMC's goal to be the safest hospital in Portland is based in our Christian tradition. "Adventist Medical Center's mission calls us to excellence in clinical practice and human relationships — that is our foundation. We deliver the care we would want to provide to our families."
Several years ago, AMC began working on an initiative with the Johns Hopkins Quality and Research Safety Group to create a culture of safety. The reduction of ventilator-associated pneumonias was the main goal, as well as implementing staff ideas and input to prevent infections. Since the implementation of this initiative, AMC has reported zero ventilator-associated pneumonias for 40 months.
"Our job is to help patients get better, not worse. That's not consistent with our mission," says Cindy Nutter, acute inpatient services director. "A culture of healing and great care comes out of teamwork and safe patient practices."
Adventist Medical Center is the only hospital in the Portland, Ore., area to have no hospital-acquired surgical infections in six major categories.
