We are concerned about patient safety at Walla Walla General Hospital. We are committed to ongoing investigation of health-care related safety issues, and to development of a culture of safety at our facility. Currently we are engaged in the following national patient safety initiatives:

IHI 100K Lives Campaign
The Institute of Healthcare Improvement has championed a national campaign to save 100K lives by addressing areas of specific concern that have been identified as problematic. The campaign involves process improvement projects in the areas of healthcare acquired infections associated with surgery, ventilators and centrally placed IV lines; with the treatment of heart attacks (Acute myocardial infarctions); and the development of Rapid Response teams to assist with prevention of catastrophic events like cardiac arrests. WWGH is involved in all six initiatives.

JCAHO Core Measures
The Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations measures certain aspects of care for AMI (acute myocardial infarctions), Heart Failure, Pneumonia and Pregnancy and related conditions. Elements in each category are based upon scientifically proven, evidence-based care.

National Patient Safety Goals
JCAHO has identified seven areas where patient safety can be improved by application of evidence based care practices. The goals list is ongoing, with some goals being adopted as a standard practice, some going to regulatory bodies for monitoring, and new goals being added or expanded upon annually.

Leapfrog Survey
WWGH completes this survey annually. The survey helps us to identify areas where improvements in patient safety can be made, and encourages commitment to improve selected areas each year.

If you have a concern about patient care and safety at WWGH, and you feel that the hospital has not addressed this concern, you are encouraged to contact the hospital's Director of Quality at 509-527-8000 ext. 1105 and report the concern about patient care and safety. If the hospital cannot resolve these concerns, you are encouraged to contact the Joint Commission at 800-994-6610.