Knowledge on the Go

Vizient Performance Improvement Collaborative

The Vizient PI Collaboratives team hosts podcasts throughout the year on issues such as leading and managing systems, engaging your workforce, and optimizing care delivery. read less
Health & FitnessHealth & Fitness

Episodes

Hospital-acquired infection improvement journey
Mar 18 2024
Hospital-acquired infection improvement journey
Hospital-acquired infections affect every health organization. These infections may be caused by a variety of pathogens including bacterial, viruses, fungi and parasites. They can lead to increased mobidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Joining us to discuss their efforts to reduce hospital-acquired infections at SSM Health are Dr. Shephali Wulff, System Vice President of Quality and Safety and Chief Quality Officer and Chris Zirges, System Director of Infection Prevention.   Guest speakers: Shephali Wulff, DO System Vice President of Quality and Safety, Chief Quality Officer SSM Health Chris Zirges, DNP, APRN-BC, CIC, FAPIC System Director of Infection Prevention SSM Health  Host: Courtney Furrow-White, MPM, RN Senior PI Program Director Vizient    Show Notes: [:56] SSM Health infection prevention overview [1:35] Current infection disease collaboration between four teams: infection disease physicians, infection prevention, microbiology and infection disease pharmacists [2:43] Partnering with continuous improvement team to put hospital-acquired infection guidelines into a change package [3:05] Over a span of two years, efforts led to 60% infection reduction for three targeted infections [3:20] Challenges with standardizing the work [4:15] Standardizing process structure and change framework [7:00] Process checks to support freezing and/or unfreezing behavior for validity and sustainability [10:00] Training modules and tools [11:45] Focus strategy for monitoring and reducing other hospital-acquired infections   [14:40] Different processes are needed for patients that are entering care in different ways: i.e., elective vs emergent surgery vs. in-patient surgery [15:20] Lessons learned   Links | Resources: For more information: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com   Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Android RSS Feed
Patient-initiated Portal Communications
Feb 5 2024
Patient-initiated Portal Communications
Navigating patient-initiated portal communication to create better experiences for patients is a national priority for healthcare systems.  The goal of the patient-initiated portal communication project collaboration between Vizient and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is to understand the different ways that health systems are responding to patient-initiated portal communication, and the usage of e-visits, and its impact on the Quintuple AIM, equity, quality, patient experience, care team experience and cost. By learning the pros and cons of communication through the electronic patient portals, health systems can create better messaging and clarity for patients. Danielle Carder, Senior Program Specialist from AAMC, joins host Courtney Furrow-White to share their collaborations on patient-initiated portal communication.  Each share statistics, challenges and results from their findings and how organizations and patients are impacted.   Guest speakers: Danielle Carder MSc Senior Program Specialist, Access & Clinical Innovations Association of American Medical Colleges   Host: Courtney Furrow-White, MPM, RN Senior PI Program Director Vizient   Show Notes: [1:38] Partnership between Vizient and AAMC to understand how health systems respond to patient initiated portals [2:34] Analyzing the billing data of 78 clinical practices [3:25] Members survey compiling data from equity, ROI to provider and patient satisfaction [5:45] The challenges health care organizations face with e-visits, and managing perceptions of care [7:33] Measuring feedback and engagement around the value of patient portals [10:58] Active education and communication with patients on best ways to access care [12:51] The operational workflows implemented to ease conversations about visit type [14:34] Concerns from patients about billing and processing   Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Android RSS Feed
Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) to decrease LOS and improve capacity
Jan 15 2024
Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) to decrease LOS and improve capacity
We know that social determinants of health such as housing instability, food insecurity, transportation barriers and limited access to education significantly influence individuals’ health outcomes. By screening for these factors, healthcare providers can provide, or healthcare providers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of patients' lives beyond their medical conditions. This holistic approach allows for tailored interventions that address the root causes of health disparities. Heather Blonsky, Lead Data Scientist at Vizient, joins host Margaret Rudisill to talk about this topic and how we have used our Vizient vulnerability index tool, lovingly called the VVI tool, to address some of the nonclinical issues of each organization's top 2% in patient utilizers in our current collaborative, creating capacity transitioning of high-risk patients.   Guests: Heather Blonsky Lead Data Scientist Vizient   Moderator: Margaret Rudisill PI Program Director Vizient   Show Notes: [01:27 – 04:04]  Why and how the Vizient Vulnerability Index tool was created [04:05 – 06:09]  Homelessness and how it impacts health? [06:10 – 10:02]  Other factors that are common in the top 2% utilizers and utilization of Z codes [10:03 – 11:39]  How hospitals use that and Heather’s advice [11:40 – 14:05]  What do hospitals do when you they identify these needs [14:06 – 15:06]  How Vizient attempts to tie those 2% needs with the VVI and how beneficial it might be   Links | Resources: For more information, email picollaboratives@vizientinc.com   Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Android RSS Feed
Readmissions
Jan 2 2024
Readmissions
Reducing preventable hospital readmissions is a national priority for payers, providers, and policy makers seeking to improve health care and lower costs. More important than costs, are the goals of providing quality care to patients who present with healthcare needs, helping them heal, and returning them safely to their home and loved ones.   Tod Baker, Principal, Dawn Sagliani, Consulting Director, and Christine Pilley, Consulting Director, all from Vizient join host Marilyn Sherrill, Sr. Performance Improvement Program Director, to discuss the emerging practices related to reducing readmissions.   Guests: Tod Baker Principal Vizient Dawn Sagliani Consulting Director Vizient Christine Pilley Consulting Director Vizient Moderator: Marilyn Sherill Sr. PI Program Director Vizient   Show Notes: [01:14 – 02:48]  How hospitals are managing the financial challenges, and taking risks for readmissions [02:49 – 03:11]  What hospitals are doing to reduce readmissions through better processes [03:12 – 05:41]  Why are patients being readmitted to hospitals [05:42 – 09:49]  The key elements to consider during the critical time of transition that can reduce a patient's risk of readmission [09:50 – 010:40]  Role of Nurse Navigators [10:41 – 11:41]  Benefit of assessing the home environment [11:42 – 15:34]  Barriers to reducing readmissions [15:35 – 16:13]  One recommendation for hospitals to bring about a more robust readmission program   Links | Resources: For more information, email picollaboratives@vizientinc.com   Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Android RSS Feed
Building relationships: referral and marketing strategy for remote patient monitoring
Dec 18 2023
Building relationships: referral and marketing strategy for remote patient monitoring
Remote patient monitoring, commonly referred to as RPM, is a type of telehealth in which healthcare providers monitor patients outside the traditional care setting using digital medical devices. The data collected from these devices are then electronically transferred to providers for care management. Automated feedback and workflows can be built into data collection, and out-of-range values or concerning readings can be flagged and then addressed by patient’s care team. In this episode two leading experts discuss building relationships to help drive referrals for an RPM program.   Guest speakers: Stephen Kropp, MS Director of Telehealth The University of Kansas Health System Jacob Finke, BSN, RN Remote Patient Monitoring Nurse Supervisor The University of Kansas Health System Moderator: Courtney Furrow-White, MPM, RN Senior Performance Improvement Program Director Vizient   Show Notes: [01:16] RPM program at The University of Kansas Health System [02:20] Early focus areas and peripheral devices used [03:22] Well-suited for patients with chronic conditions [03:50] Barriers faced [06:15] Increasing referrals [07:53] Marketing strategy [11:00] Drawing patients into the RPM program [14:54] Finding staff with people skills [15:29] Building patient trust [18:04] Advice to those just starting out   Links | Resources: Contacting Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com Courtney’s email: Courtney.furrowwhite@vizientinc.com Steve’s email: skropp@kumc.edu Jacob’s email: jfinke@kumc.edu   Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Android RSS Feed
Zero Restraint Use in Pediatric Psychiatry
Dec 4 2023
Zero Restraint Use in Pediatric Psychiatry
Restraints can have a negative emotional impact on pediatric patients. Being physically restrained can be traumatic and lead to feelings of helplessness, anxiety and loss of control. Having to put pediatric patients in restraints takes a toll on staff as well. Tanya Isaacs, Behavioral Health Clinical Instructor and Cheryl Miller, Behavioral Health Registered Nurse from The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii join us to talk to us today about their journey toward zero restraint use in pediatric psychiatry are.   Guests: Tanya Isaacs, BSN, RN, PMH-BC  Behavioral Health Clinical Instructor  The Queen’s Medical Center Cheryl Miller, BSN, RN-PMH-BC  Behavioral Health Registered Nurse  The Queen’s Medical Center Moderator: Laura Hoffman, DNP, MSN, RN, CPHQ  PI Program Director Vizient   Show Notes: [01:08 – 02:07]  How did Queen’s Medical Center determine the right path to take to zero restraint use in your pediatric psychiatry unit [02:08 – 03:47]  Defining moment that helped to solidify this decision from Tanya and Cheryl [03:48 – 05:32]  How they began this initiative [05:33 – 07:28]  “The how to help me plan” [07:29 – 09:42]  How the “how to help me plan” changed the way that you practice as a clinician [09:43 – 11:47]  Were they able to reduce restraint use for your pediatric patients with mental health issues? [11:48 – 14:29]  Other impacts other than a decrease in restraint use   Links | Resources: Contact Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com   Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Android RSS Feed
Updates for Antimicrobial Stewardship Standards
Nov 20 2023
Updates for Antimicrobial Stewardship Standards
Antimicrobial resistance continues to be a public health threat across the globe.  Recent updates to the Joint omission standards provide an opportunity to evaluate our current programs for improvements.  Today’s program looks at what two health organizations are doing to optimize antimicrobial utilization, mitigate antimicrobial resistance and improve patient outcomes.  Joining Vizient’s Jim Lichauer for this discussion are Michael Postelnick System Program Director of Antimicrobial and Diagnostic Stewardship at Northwestern Medicine and Lucas Schulz, Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Director and PGY1 and PGY2 for Infectious Disease at University of Wisconsin Health.    Guest speakers: Michael Postelnick, RPh BCPS AQ-Infectious Diseases System Program Director, Antimicrobial and Diagnostic Stewardship Northwestern Medicine  Lucas Schulz, PharmD, BCIDP Clinical Manager, Acute Care Services Residency Program Director – PGYI and PGY2 Infectious Diseases University of Wisconsin Health Moderator: Jim Lichauer, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP Senior PI Program Director, Pharmacy  Vizient    Show Notes: [1:10] The Joint Commission and CMS updates are driving antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) forward [3:50] EP 10 criteria to determine necessary resources to operate the stewardship program effectively and ensure that the resource allocation matches the determined needs [5:20] EP 12 is revised to specifically require competency-based training for medical staff [7:35] EP 20 recommends reporting ASP data to hospital leadership and prescribers [9:45] Joint Commissions new standards include ambulatory care [13:25] CMS rules for infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship (CMSQSO-22-20)   Links | Resources: Contact Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com   Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Android RSS Feed
Task Rebalancing to Improve Discharge Efficiency
Oct 16 2023
Task Rebalancing to Improve Discharge Efficiency
Transitions from hospital to post-acute care is both time consuming and complex. When discharge tasks are not coordinated and stacked on the patient’s last day, any disruption can cause a cascade of negative events. In fact, 30% of all hospital admissions have a 24-hour discharge delay due to non-clinical reasons.   Bennett Masden, Director of Quality at Great River Health in West Burlington, Iowa joins host Margaret Rudisill, Performance Improvement Director at Vizient to explore how moving tasks before the day of discharge can help reduce a patient’s length of stay.      Guest Speaker: Bennett Masden, BBA Director of Quality Great River Health Moderator: Margaret Rudisill, RN, BSN, MS-HQS PI Program Director Vizient   Show Notes: [01:22] Task rebalancing to alleviate resource constraints at discharge [02:04] Use a process map to determine when tasks are happening and decide what tasks can move earlier [03:13] How to respond to pushback [04:10] A cross-functional team of stakeholders develops an action plan and encourages commitment [04:31] Example: moving exercise oximetry tests to the day before discharge [05:35] Other examples: medication reconciliation and physical therapy [07:35] Staff reaction to task rebalancing   Links | Resources: Contacting Knowledge on the Go:  picollaboratives@vizientinc.com Bennet Masden’s email: bmasden@greatriverhealth.org Margaret Rudisill’s contact: margaret.rudisill@vizientinc.com     Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Android RSS Feed
How a Nurse Residency Program supports Performance Improvement and Retention
Oct 2 2023
How a Nurse Residency Program supports Performance Improvement and Retention
Similar to residency programs physicians and other healthcare disciplines undergo, these programs give recently graduated nurses the support and learning opportunities to smooth the transition from novice to competent clinicians, while providing valuable peer and mentor support; keys that also address turnover.   Janine Lindgreen, nurse residency coordinator, and Dawn Profit, staff development specialist, both of University of Kentucky, Albert B. Chandler Hospital join Host LaTammy Marks to discuss what healthcare organizations can do to improve their new nurse graduate journey, utilizing the Vizient American Association of Colleges of Nursing, or AACN Nurse Residency Program, also NRP, and how they can increase the use of evidence-based practice while focusing on continuous performance improvement.   Guests: Janine Lindgreen Nurse Residency Coordinator University of Kentucky, Albert B. Chandler Hospital Dawn Profit Staff Development Specialist University of Kentucky, Albert B. Chandler Hospital Moderator: LaTammy Marks PI Program Director Vizient   Show Notes: [02:56 – 04:39] How University of Kentucky operationalized the NRP [04:40 – 06:55]  A performance and improvement project done by the nursing residents and how a process improved as a result of this work including evidence-based practice [06:56 – 10:01]  Ways that University of Kentucky utilizes the NRP to monitor retention [10:02 – 11:44]  Describing the quarterly scorecard and why focusing on  nurse retention is important to monitor on the scorecard for your organization [11:45 – 14:23]  How participation in these PI Collaborative supports the NRP [14:24 – 16:20]  What has contributed to the overall success of their NRP [16:21 – 17:29]  Advice for organizations that are starting a NRP program to shift their focus to retention of nurses, especially new nurses   For more information, email picollaboratives@vizientinc.com   Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Android RSS Feed
Caring for patients where they are: Examining a successful home infusion program
Sep 18 2023
Caring for patients where they are: Examining a successful home infusion program
Care is moving outside the hospital at a faster and faster pace. Due to  payer mandates, shifts in sites of care to locations outside the hospital will bring an additional 18 percent expansion of patient visits to physician offices and outpatient facilities by 2032. Strategies for home infusion will play a big role in this shift as well. Currently, over 550 medications are available for home infusion. On this episode, two leading experts will detail their successful home infusion strategy at their organization.   Guests: Alicia Ranasinghe, PharmD, IgCP Medication Access Services Pharmacist Fairview Home Infusion Brett Benfield Director of Home Infusion and Compounding Fairview Infusion Consulting Services   Moderator: Jim Lichauer, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP Performance Improvement Program Director Vizient   Show Notes: [01:35] Fairview Pharmacy Services and home infusion [03:06] IVIG Stewardship Program [04:13] Process to establish patients in home infusion [05:25] Pharmacist involvement [05:50] Getting buy-in from colleagues [06:58] Impact on patients [08:12] Looking to the future [08:39] Take-aways from the program   Resources: Contacting Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com Jim’s email: jim.lichauer@vizientinc.com Alicia’s email: alicia.ranasinghe@fairview.org Brett’s email: brett.benfield@fairview.org   Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Android RSS Feed
Revisiting Workplace Violence series from 2022 - Part 2
Jul 24 2023
Revisiting Workplace Violence series from 2022 - Part 2
We have a Workplace Violence Survey underway now. The survey consists of 9 questions related to 4 outcome metrics. The deadline to submit data is August 18, 2023. If interested, please contact picollaborativesteam@vizientinc.com   Continuing the discussion for Workplace Violence Awareness Month, Lindsay Mayer, Rick Litzinger, and Dan Hunnisett explore the importance of building a solid foundation for staff education and training programs around workplace violence.   Guest speaker: Rick Litzinger Manager, Emergency Preparedness, Safety, Security Altru Health System   Dan Hunnisett Security Program Specialist, Security  Altru Health System   Moderator: Lindsay Mayer Senior Director Vizient   Show Notes: [01:26] Education is foundational in addressing workplace violence, so it is vital to assess your organization’s training gaps and educational needs.     [03:00] Strong training programs include several key components.    [03:54] Altru’s multi-tiered training curriculum.    [07:09] The challenges and successes of virtual learning, as experienced during the pandemic. [08:44] Surveys are extremely important in understanding your organization’s culture of safety, as well as education needs and preferences.     [11:01] Recommended to strengthen your training program: Data collection and cross-discipline strategic partnerships. For more information, email picollaboratives@vizientinc.com   Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Amazon Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Android Stitcher RSS Feed
Patient mobility and safe patient handling
Jun 19 2023
Patient mobility and safe patient handling
Most hospital patients spend over 80 percent of their stay in the bed. Immobility contributes to higher lengths of stay, increases in falls, pressure injuries and new nursing home placements. All of this reduces overall quality of care and patient satisfaction. On this episode, we examine a health care organization that has embarked on a journey to reverse this trend by getting patients up and moving all across the hospital. ThedaCare participated in the Creating a Culture of Mobility Collaborative, and we’ll provide the details on this podcast. Guest speakers: Kelly Parish, DPT Physical Therapist ThedaCare   Amy Shadick, RN, BSN, CV-BC Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit Manager ThedaCare Host: Laura Hoffman, DNP, MSN, RN, CPHQ Performance Improvement Program Director Vizient Show Notes: [01:26] Empowering patients by improving their handling [02:10] Story of bariatric patient who became mobile [02:58] Use of Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool (BMAT) [03:36] Training in patient handling: didactic and hands-on [05:45] Meaning of safe patient handling; equipment used for initiative [07:03] Details and impact of hands-on training: 3 fewer nursing injuries, 10 fewer falls [08:56] Mobilizing patients and effect on falls [11:20] Metrics on new program [12:09] Future plans and partnerships Links | Resources: Contacting Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com Laura’s email: laura.hoffman@vizientinc.com Kelly’s email: kelly.parish@thedacare.org Amy’s email: amy.shadick@thedacare.org Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Amazon Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Android Stitcher RSS Feed