Officials from Highmark Inc., Pinnacle Health System and Penn State Hershey Medical Center today discussed ways to improve quality measures in health care that will ultimately result in better patient care, improved health outcomes and ways to save valuable health care dollars.
"Highmark's pay-for-performance program has demonstrated measurable outcomes since the program began in 2002," said Mike Fiaschetti, market president of the central region for Highmark Inc. "The program has documented significant lives saved throughout its history, including 122 -255 lives saved in 2009 through avoided central line infections among our participating hospitals. I also want to recognize Pinnacle and Hershey for their leadership around quality initiatives. They have been model partners with Highmark to work with, and we look forward to continuing to raise the standards within this program."
QualityBLUE, Highmark's hospital performance program, began with six hospitals and now there are 52 hospitals participating in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The program continues to grow in Central Pennsylvania, with more hospitals discussing participation in the program with Highmark.
Highmark's QualityBLUE program has gained national attention because of its innovative approach, alignment with national quality improvement efforts, documented program results and focus on outcomes.
The most recent report from Highmark shows QualityBLUE hospitals reduced Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by 233 infections, which translates to a projected care cost savings of nearly $8.1 million.
"Our collaboration with providers is one of the key elements in the success of the program," said Fiaschetti.
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