UPMC Horizon receives maximum achievement level in Highmark QualityBLUE program
FARRELL AND GREENVILLE, June 29, 2011– UPMC Horizon recently earned the maximum achievement level for fiscal year 2011 in the Highmark QualityBLUE program. The hospital also demonstrated performance at or above Pennsylvania state averages for applicable Center for Medicare and Medicaid Quality Core measure performance.
In a letter to UPMC Horizon regarding the year end presentation, a QualityBLUE program representative noted “the presence and involvement of the staff responsible for QualityBLUE program administration at your facility and the attendance of members of your senior leadership team, as well as project physician champions, demonstrates your organization’s commitment to advancing a culture of quality.”
UPMC Horizon received high scores on four quality indicators, which included readmissions, surgical safety, perinatal care, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention and care coordination. The hospital also received a bonus for continued prevention of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).
In addition, UPMC Horizon received commendation in the following areas:
- developing teams to analyze and implement quality improvement activities
- successfully implementing the inpatient surgical safety checklist
achieving a high rate of compliance in providing deep vein thromboembolism (DVT) treatment for mothers undergoing Cesarean sections
- improved compliance with the elective induction bundle, implemented to improve outcomes related to delivery
- providing patient education materials to inform and engage patients for improved care
UPMC Horizon also earned maximum achievement level in the QualityBLUE program in fiscal year 2010.
“We are pleased that Highmark has continued to recognize UPMC Horizon for its efforts in delivering high quality care to our patients. By working collaboratively with our physicians and nurses, we continue to advance the quality of health care that our community expects and deserves from its hospital,” says Donald R. Owrey, FACHE, UPMC Horizon president. “At UPMC Horizon, we are committed to perfecting the innovation, quality and expertise that defines patient-centered care.”