In early 2011, the National Quality Forum plans to publish updates and additions to the listing of Serious Reportable Events in health care, which identified 27 adverse events in 2002 and in 2006 added a 28th event. The updates that are currently under review by the NQF members consist of 29 SREs and a recommendation that SREs should be expanded into other environments of care beyond hospital settings.

IHA expects that the Indiana State Department of Health will propose new infection reporting requirements for hospitals starting in 2012 to align with the upcoming NQF additions and to improve upon what has already been established.

IHA will keep members informed on updates and changes to the INMERS system.

IHA hosted a phone call on Wednesday, Jan. 19 for the Indiana State Department of Health regarding influenza activity. The call was led by Shawn M. Richards, respiratory epidemiologist, ISDH (srichard@isdh.in.gov or 317-233-7740).

ISDH reports that H1N1 activity in Indiana is currently higher than the national average. Influenza season appears to be trending about two weeks ahead of where it was last year, with a peak possible around Feb. 12. There have been three influenza deaths since Sept. 1. None of the deceased were vaccinated. All were otherwise healthy individuals whose condition deteriorated rapidly.

ISDH Links:

The Indiana State Department of Health influenza weekly report is updated and available by COB every Wednesday and can be found at: http://www.in.gov/isdh/22104.htm 

To report influenza associated deaths go to:
http://www.in.gov/isdh/files/52576_InfluenzaAssocDeath.pdf. Deaths must be reported within 72 hours.

To submit special studies specimens to ISDH, the submission form (prior authorization to submit is required) is available at:
http://www.in.gov/icpr/webfile/formsdiv/35212.pdf

CDC guidance:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/healthcaresettings.htm

To sign up to receive Indiana Health Alert Network messages, contact Jill Dietzen at 317-233-7620. For questions on birth and death record automation, call Tom Barnhill at 317-234-3107.

In 2010, the IHA Board resolved to expand the number of regional patient safety coalitions in the state and to create a network to support local patient safety efforts. In the first quarter of 2011, four new regional coalitions are forming, adding to the current six regional coalitions. Coalitions in the state are working on standardizing practices such as common universal protocols, wristband colors, infection prevention bundles, IV pump concentrations, and many other safety efforts to engage front-line staff. For more information visit, www.indianapatientsafety.org.

In the past six months, the Office of Inspector General and The New England Journal of Medicine released reports questioning the progress of patient safety. The OIG report, Adverse Events in Hospitals: National Incidence Among Medicare Beneficiaries, looked at a national sample of 780 Medicare beneficiaries discharged during Oct. 2008. The report’s findings estimated that 13.5 percent of hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries experienced adverse events during their hospital stays and that hospital care associated with adverse and temporary harm events cost Medicare an estimated $324 million in Oct. 2008. 

The New England Journal of Medicine report, Temporal Trends in Rates of Patient Harm Resulting From Medical Care, looked at 10 North Carolina hospitals and found that harms remain common with little evidence of widespread improvement.

The Joint Commission is seeking comment on proposed 2012 National Patient Safety Goals that address ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. The proposed NPSGs would be applicable to Joint Commission accredited hospitals and long term care organizations. Comments are being accepted through Jan. 27. Click here for more information.

The Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety recognized the winners of its 2010 Patient Safety Hero Awards at its annual luncheon on Nov. 23. The awards are given to individuals or groups at each member hospital that have championed a specific patient safety project. The seven winners include:
• Patricia Owens, Hendricks Regional Health, Danville
• Shelley Voelz and Dr. Douglas Johnstone, St. Francis Hospitals and Health Centers, Indianapolis
• Wishard Health Services PCA medication administration team
• Roudebush VA Medical Center’s acute and critical care committees
• Clarian Health’s pressure ulcer prevention teams (Methodist Hospital, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University Medical Center)
• Community Health Network’s MRSA reduction teams (North, South, East, The Indianapolis Heart Hospital)
• Beverly Reed, St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital

The Joint Commission is seeking input on two proposed National Patient Safety Goals that address heath care associated infections specifically, ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Click here to learn more about the two proposed strategies.

The March of Dimes released Toward Improving the Outcome of Pregnancy (TIOP III) a report outlining the elements that are essential to improving quality, safety ,and performance across the continuum of perinatal care.

The Joint Commission launched a new website at www.jointcommission.org. Some of the highlights include:

• Ability to sign up for updates and alerts about events, field reviews, new and updated FAQs, newsletters, and more 
• A Daily Update section highlights any new information that has been posted within the last 24 hours 
• Enhanced multimedia functionality for videos, podcasts, and RSS feeds 
• More interactive opportunities via blogs, real-time discussion forums, online speakers bureau form, maps that show the states that recognize Joint Commission accreditation and certification, and ‘share with a friend’ capability 
• Clear identification of new FAQs and easier navigation of standards FAQs, including the ability to search within FAQs for special topics 
• An Event Calendar highlights upcoming conferences, teleconferences and webinars, and provides for easy, online registration 
• Enhanced and advanced search functionality 

A new Joint Commission Sentinel Event Alert urges greater attention to the risk of suicide for non-psychiatric patients in emergency departments and medical/surgical inpatient units and recommends education for caregivers about warning signs that may indicate when these patients are contemplating harming themselves. The alert cautions that many patients who kill themselves in general hospital units do not have a psychiatric history or a history of suicidal attempts.