| WARE — Baystate Mary Lane Hospital, a 31-bed community hospital in Ware and a member of Baystate Health, has participated for a third straight time in a national research project titled “Improving Safety Culture and Outcomes in Health Care.” Baystate Mary Lane was one of only 91 hospitals nationwide who participated in the project. The survey was done initially in 2004, and again in 2006 to assess change over time.
Researchers from Stanford University’s Centers for Health Policy/Primary Care and Outcomes Research conducted the project with support from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Employees and physicians were asked to complete a four-page questionnaire rating the hospital’s ability to provide a clear and open safety culture.
According to the research project, an overall score of 12.7{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} or less was considered a Best Performer, and BMLH’s overall score was 12.3{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5}. Employees’ responses note that the facility’s overall safety culture is very strong.
Survey responses indicated that, in patient care areas, the staff has worked to identify and fix safety problems before an incident actually occurs, and for that Baystate Mary Lane ranked high nationally. Also, employees noted that the overall level of patient safety at the hospital has been improving. The survey also indicated that employees and physicians are comfortable reporting safety concerns without fear of being punished by management, and that employees feel management puts safety at a higher level of importance than meeting a schedule and productivity.
“The data has given us an opportunity to gain insight into the patterns of patient safety climate in our facility, to compare ourselves with other hospitals, and to compare our own results over time,” said Christine Shirtcliff, president of Baystate Mary Lane Hospital. “In addition, by participating in this project, we have had the opportunity to learn about best practices at other hospitals nationwide.” |
