Washington Hospitals Celebrate 100K Lives Campaign Milestones; National Campaign saves an estimated 1,500 lives in Washington.

SEATTLE -- Eighteen months ago, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) challenged the nation's hospitals to re-think their medical practices and save an additional 100,000 lives. A targeted milestone for the "Campaign" is today, June 14, 2006.

As the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) celebrates a major milestone of saving an estimated 122,300 lives during its 100K Lives Campaign, its local counterpart, the Washington Network, announces its own successful efforts to save lives. Leading the nation -- every hospital in Washington State -- rose to the challenge presented by IHI, by collaborating to implement changes in health care which benefit patients throughout the state. An estimated 1,500 lives were saved in Washington through hospitals working together for a common goal.

"We have watched you in awe," said IHI CEO Donald Berwick, MD, of Washington's achievements. "You are well ahead of many parts of the country. Hundreds and hundreds of patients have benefited from the work you have done."

The 100K Lives Campaign accomplishments are being recognized by the healthcare industry during the 2nd Annual International Hospital Summit in Atlanta, Georgia today.

"The Washington Network and IHI celebrated program accomplishments over the past 18 months; the most significant achievement was the development of a national infrastructure to support permanent change in health care," said Jonathan Sugarman, MD, MPH, president and CEO of Qualis Health and Carol Wagner, RN, MBA, executive director of the Patient Safety Program at the Washington State Hospital Association in a joint statement. "The Washington Network, in collaboration with its partners and the IHI, will remain committed to improving patient safety and the quality of care for years to come."

Participating hospitals implemented some or all of the Campaign's six life-saving best practices:

--Deployment of Rapid Response Teams at the first sign of a decline in patient health

--Deliver Reliable, Evidence Based Care for Acute Myocardial Infarction (heart attack)

--Prevent Adverse Drug Events

--Prevent Central Line Infections

--Prevent Surgical Site Infections

--Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia 

In June of 2005, the Washington Network announced that Washington was the first state of its size to secure 100 percent participation in the Campaign by community hospitals. Participating facilities agreed to measure their results by submitting mortality data.

The Washington Network is an unprecedented and unique collaborative effort that brought state healthcare associations, quality improvement organizations and every hospital in Washington together with a common goal to bring rapid improvement in healthcare and reduce mortality in hospitals. The Washington Network of the 100K Lives Campaign is coordinated by partner organizations including Qualis Health, Washington State Hospital Association, Washington State Medical Association, Washington State Nurses Association, United Staff Nurses Union (UFCW 141), Service Employees International Union 1199NW, Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives, Washington State Department of Health, Rural Healthcare Quality Network, and the Washington State Pharmacy Association.

National 100K Lives Campaign Sponsors

The campaign is endorsed by the American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and the Veterans Health Administration.