Minnesota hospitals prevent patient harms, save $93 million in health spending

Minnesota hospitals and health systems have prevented more than 12,000 patients from being harmed and saved more than $93 million as a result of a reduction in hospital-acquired conditions from 2010-13. Nationwide, hospitals prevented 1.3 million patient harms and saved more than $12 billion in health spending, according to a report issued today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In Minnesota, the largest improvements were in the number of hospital readmissions prevented; reduction in elective deliveries prior to 39 weeks gestation; fewer patient falls; fewer adverse drug events; fewer infections; and fewer patients experiencing a pressure ulcer. The efforts were part of the federal Partnership for Patients initiative in which 115 Minnesota hospitals participated over the past three years. Partnership for Patients is a public-private partnership designed to help improve the quality, safety and affordability of health care for all Americans.

"Minnesota has earned a national reputation for providing high quality patient-centered care, and we are working hard every day to make it better and more affordable," said Lawrence Massa, president and CEO of the Minnesota Hospital Association. "Our hospitals are committed to providing high quality, safe care for patients, and these efforts demonstrate the commitment of our caregivers. Every patient deserves care that is tailored to them."

From hospital leaders and members of the care team to patients and families, hospitals achieved these improvements by developing an infrastructure that provides evidence-based best practices, tools and resources to prevent adverse events from happening. Another key area of focus is hospital caregivers engaging patients and families as important partners in their care.