QUALITY & PATIENT SAFETY

The AHA quality improvement team supports members through on-site visits, coaching calls, mentoring, and programs for building quality improvement capacity throughout the state.

2022 Highlights

• Healthcare Quality Improvement Contract with TMF and AFMC: AHA met our recruitment goals and has 52 Arkansas hospitals participating. We have made quarterly virtual visits with participating hospitals to focus on reducing healthcare-acquired conditions and readmissions. Throughout the work, we are also focusing on patient and family engagement, healthcare equity, and eliminating care disparities.

• Represented TMF in the CMS HQIC Focused Event Series on Infection Prevention.

• Provided a clinical experience for six DNP students from the University of Central Arkansas which involved six hours of virtual presentations and self-study.

• Statewide Patient and Family Advisory Council: Now in its fourth year, the PFAC continues to be a forum for supporting patient and family engagement.

• Provided informational and technical support to hospitals reporting data through NHSN.

• South Central HIINergy Collaboration: Along with state hospital associations in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Florida, Montana, and New Mexico, we participate in monthly calls to share resources and strategize on how to maximize results in quality and patient safety.

• Celebrated member organizations for achievements in Quality and Patient Safety on an ongoing basis both nationally and within the state through articles, webinars, and weekly newsletters.

• With the AHA Education Team, participated in CE Provider Unit monthly calls and served as the primary nurse planners for the Approved Provider Unit (APU). Attended monthly virtual meetings, as well as the annual Provider Unit meeting. Completed the application process for certification as an APU for another three years.

• Participated in the ongoing work of the ArkPrepare Team, delivering breaking news on topics related to COVID-19 infection control, therapeutics, vaccines, and more.

REPRESENTED AHA AS A MEMBER OR STAKEHOLDER AT MULTIPLE COMMITTEE MEETINGS, OFFERING THE HOSPITAL QUALITY AND PATIENT SAFETY PERSPECTIVE:

• Maternal Mortality Review Committee

• Arkansas STEMI Advisory Group

• Arkansas Falls Coalition

• Healthcare Associated Infection Advisory Committee

• Medicaid IQI Advisory Council

• AFMC/ADH Rural Health Summit

• Arkansas Cancer Coalition

• South-Central Telehealth Resource Center Advisory Committee.

• CPC+ (Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative)

• Arkansas Association of Professionals in Infection Control

• Economic Development Alliance for Arkansas

• Rural Health Association of Arkansas Conference

• Arkansas Antimicrobial Stewardship Advisory Committee with the Arkansas Department of Health

• Arkansas Association of Healthcare Quality

• Arkansas Organization for Nurse Leaders

• Arkansas Behavioral Health Innovation Network

• The Joint Commission Continuous Survey Readiness

WHAT’S NEW?

One-Stop Resource Guides for Monthly Quality Forums

The Quality Team has released two resource guides designed to accompany the instruction included in the Monthly Quality Forums. These reference guides will support quality professionals in hospitals as they apply the training and education delivered by the Quality Team.