The AAFP Board of Directors recently voted to support the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's 100K Lives Campaign. Organizers of the campaign, launched in December 2004, hope to save 100,000 lives by encouraging hospitals nationwide to implement changes in care that have been shown to help prevent avoidable deaths.
AAFP Endorses Campaign to Reduce Preventable Hospital Deaths
By Sheri Porter
4/15/2005
Although the campaign's primary focus is on inpatient procedures, some of the measures recommended -- such as rapidly treating heart attack patients with aspirin and beta blockers and compiling lists of patient medications to prevent overdoses and allergic reactions -- could help reduce mortality in ambulatory care settings, as well.
Just four months into the 18-month campaign, more than 1,700 hospitals have signed on; the goal is to get 2,000 hospitals on board. Visit the 100K Lives Campaign Web site to read more about the initiative.
Jonathan Sugarman, M.D., of Seattle, a member of AAFP's Commission on Quality and Scope of Practice, said all FPs -- regardless of their scope of practice -- should support the campaign. The commission originated the recommendation approved by the Board at its March meeting.
"The campaign represents the kind of evidence-based care we want our patients -- and our families -- to receive," said Sugarman.
Sugarman was particularly impressed by the campaign's focus on rapid-response teams. "It's been well demonstrated that these rapid-response teams reduce mortality," he said.
In this innovative model, at the first sign of decline, the patient can be evaluated by a competent team even if the attending physician cannot be present. However, Sugarman said "FPs need to be at the table" as hospitals establish these teams.
"We need assurances that the patient's best interests will be met and that the attending physician will be involved at the appropriate level," he said.
Just four months into the 18-month campaign, more than 1,700 hospitals have signed on; the goal is to get 2,000 hospitals on board. Visit the 100K Lives Campaign Web site to read more about the initiative.
Jonathan Sugarman, M.D., of Seattle, a member of AAFP's Commission on Quality and Scope of Practice, said all FPs -- regardless of their scope of practice -- should support the campaign. The commission originated the recommendation approved by the Board at its March meeting.
"The campaign represents the kind of evidence-based care we want our patients -- and our families -- to receive," said Sugarman.
Sugarman was particularly impressed by the campaign's focus on rapid-response teams. "It's been well demonstrated that these rapid-response teams reduce mortality," he said.
In this innovative model, at the first sign of decline, the patient can be evaluated by a competent team even if the attending physician cannot be present. However, Sugarman said "FPs need to be at the table" as hospitals establish these teams.
"We need assurances that the patient's best interests will be met and that the attending physician will be involved at the appropriate level," he said.
