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Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center (EMRMC) has been recognized for the high quality of care given to its patients. On May 18, EMRMC received a 2022 Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) Quality Award for two programs that were recently developed. The KHA Quality Award is presented to honor hospital leadership and innovation in quality, safety and commitment in patient care.

One of the programs receiving the award at EMRMC was for their efforts in creating a comprehensive program to effectively transition patients with heart failure across various health care settings with an emphasis on patients transitioning from inpatient care back into their homes and to prevent hospital readmissions.  The project included the development of a transition of care heart failure clinic for recently discharged patients staffed by a pharmacist and advanced practice provider and the creation of a heart failure nurse navigator position responsible for such tasks as providing education, patient resources, assuring post-discharge follow-up, and making appropriate referrals for home health and cardiac rehabilitation.

Through the collaborative efforts, the team was able to unify the care provided in order to provide a true continuity of care process that works to optimize patient outcomes. For patients enrolled in the program, 80% receive an in-person visit or phone call by a provider or nurse navigator within 48 hours after discharge, 72% were referred to home health for chronic disease management, 100% received education on how to set a weight scale, and less than 10% of patients enrolled in the program have been readmitted to the hospital.

The other program receiving the award at EMRMC was related to postpartum hemorrhage. In 2020, the ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) released a safety bundle that focused on the proper identification and treatment to follow in the event of a postpartum hemorrhage. The bundle includes recognition, medications, blood bank involvement, action steps, and a massive transfusion protocol. Ephraim McDowell published a new postpartum hemorrhage policy to identify and guide the steps required to properly assess and treat a postpartum hemorrhage based on the ACOG recommendations. The policy outlined staff roles during a hemorrhage, response from the emergency department, critical care nurses, lab technicians, anesthesia, and proposed interventions for each of the three stages of hemorrhage. Since the policy has been implemented, no adverse outcomes have been reported related to postpartum hemorrhage.

“This award from the Kentucky Hospital Association validates the hard work and dedication of our Associates and health care providers in delivering the best care possible to our patients,” says Dan McKay, President and CEO of Ephraim McDowell Health. “Healthcare is constantly changing and we must continually look for ways to improve the outcomes for our patients.  I am extremely proud of the work that is done on a daily basis throughout our organization to enhance the health of our communities.”