New Joint Commission Report on Patient Safety and Quality Released

Hospitals across the United States have significantly improved the quality of care provided for patients suffering from heart attacks, heart failure, or pneumonia over the past four years, according to a new report from The Joint Commission. The report details the performance of accredited hospitals against standardized national performance measures and the Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals. 

Improving America’s Hospitals: A Report on Quality and Safety also shows, however, that the effectiveness with which hospitals carry out safe practices and provide patients proven treatments for common clinical conditions varies by state. These variations spotlight clear opportunities for hospitals to strengthen their efforts in delivering safe, effective care. For example, the Joint Commission report found that almost all heart attack patients are receiving the life-saving benefits of aspirin when they arrive at the hospital, yet many heart failure patients do not receive specific discharge instructions about their condition and necessary follow-up care when they leave the hospital. Hospital performance in complying with National Patient Safety Goal requirements has also been variable. Most hospitals do well in using objective methods to identify patients before undertaking treatments, but many are finding it challenging to put processes in place to avoid medication mix-ups. This report, which is the first of what is to become an annual report, covers the time period from 2002 through 2005.