Our network implemented new recommendations of our Blue Ribbon Team to help ensure every patient's care is the absolute best.
As a result, we achieved substantive improvements in our quality measures, including a 112 percent increase in the number of measures that rank as high as those of our nation's top performers.
Enhancing Quality
We further expanded our eICU® patient-safety system to complete, on-time, our implementation of this lifesaving technology. In doing so, we brought the total number of beds being monitored to 359 across our network of hospitals.
Data from a groundbreaking study about the quality and efficiency of health care showed that doctors and hospitals affiliated with our Sutter Health network provide patients more efficient and consistent care than other health systems around the state.
The findings were part of research released by John Wennberg, M.D. He is the director of Dartmouth Medical School's Center for the Evaluative Clinical Sciences.
"Findings of the Wennberg study show that our coordinated but flexible approach to patient care results in more effective and consistent levels of care. Sutter Health patients have fewer interventions and receive interventions when they need it - without unnecessary services that do nothing for the patient and can only add extra risk and additional expense."
Gordon Hunt, M.D.,
Senior Vice President and Chief
Medical Officer, Sutter Health
Six Sutter Health affiliates were among just 22 hospitals statewide recognized for outstanding commitment to health care quality and patient safety by The Leapfrog Group.
The "Excellence in Patient Safety & Health Care Quality Award" was based on results from the prominent Leapfrog Group Hospital Quality and Safety Survey.
These Sutter-affiliated hospitals were given the distinction:
- Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus in Berkeley
- Mills-Peninsula Health Services in Burlingame
- Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital
- Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport
- Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
- Sutter Roseville Medical Center
"By participating in these types of surveys, our affiliates can identify opportunities to improve care, increase safety and provide better outcomes for the patients we serve."
Gordon Hunt, M.D.
Senior Vice President and Chief
Medical Officer, Sutter Health
ABC Network News and Fit Pregnancy were among the many media outlets that reported on our Sutter Health network's groundbreaking new study regarding first pregnancy.
The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, showed that two common obstetric procedures are strongly linked to the ever-increasing rates of unexpected Caesarean births among first-time mothers.
"It's Sutter Health's priority to help new moms have safer deliveries and better overall birth experiences. Our doctors, nurses and caregivers are committed to partnering with patients to improve outcomes and reduce risks."
Elliott Main, M.D.
Director of Obstetric Quality for Sutter Health
Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at California Pacific Medical Center, a Sutter Health affiliate
Five medical groups affiliated or aligned with Sutter Health received the prestigious quality award from the California health care leadership group, the Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA).
The recognitions were part of the IHA's annual Pay for Performance report card. Nearly one third of the top medical groups in Northern California were with our Sutter Health network.
They were:
- Camino Medical Group in Santa Clara County
- Mills-Peninsula Medical Group in San Mateo County
- Palo Alto Medical Clinic in Santa Clara, San Mateo and Alameda Counties
- Sutter Medical Group in Sacramento and Placer Counties
- Sutter West Medical in Yolo county
"This recognition not only demonstrates the success of our ongoing efforts but encourages us to work even harder to advance quality across our network."
Gordon Hunt, M.D.
Senior Vice President and Chief
Medical Officer, Sutter Health
Four Sutter Health hospitals received a leadership award for their extraordinary level of clinical excellence in cardiac care.
The recognition was based on nationally recognized quality measures and awarded by VHA Inc., a national health care provider alliance of more than 2,400 not-for-profit health care organizations.
The four affiliates were among only nine VHA member hospitals across California to receive the organization's 2006 Leadership Award for excellence in cardiac care for heart attack.
They were:
- Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley
- Novato Community Hospital
- Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital
- Sutter General Hospital, part of Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento