BMC Renal Dialysis Unit Achieves 5-Diamond Status
PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire Medical Center Renal Dialysis Unit continues to receive the highest designation from the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network of New England, and has been honored for sustained excellence for two years running.
BMC has been awarded 5-Diamond status as part of the 5-Diamond Patient Safety Program, a collaborative effort between ESRD Network of New England and the Mid-Atlantic Renal Coalition that assists dialysis facilities with fostering improvement of both staff and patient awareness of specific patient-safety areas.
BMC’s Renal Dialysis Unit was one of only three centers in Massachusetts and among only 14 in all of New England to achieve sustained excellence in its 5-Diamond designation.
“The staff of the BMC Renal Dialysis Unit has made a continual commitment to providing the highest level of patient care and safety,” said Diane Kelly, chief operating officer at BMC. “The entire hospital staff congratulates the Renal Dialysis Unit, its physicians, and dedicated staff for this highest level of recognition in the 5-Diamond program.”
Dr. David Henner, medical director of Renal Dialysis at BMC, said that “our participation in this initiative to deliver the highest quality of care and patient safety for our renal-dialysis patients is part of how we contribute to Berkshire Health Systems’ mission to provide the best care to our patients and community. We are proud of our staff’s contribution and results on behalf of our patients.”
The 5-Diamond Patient Safety Program involves the implementation of various patient safety concepts within each participating dialysis facility. Facilities are recognized with between zero and five diamonds based on the number of patient safety concepts that are implemented. BMC implemented five concepts, including patient-safety principles, hand hygiene, emergency preparedness, influenza vaccination, and fall prevention, and therefore achieved the 5-Diamond designation.
BMC has also continued to expand access to renal services with the opening of the Fairview Hospital Renal Dialysis Center in Great Barrington.