As lawmakers in Washington continue to debate
historic changes to the U.S. health care system, the need for
clinicians to offer feedback and contribute to the dialogue
has increased exponentially. And we're not just talking about
physicians—nurses, perhaps more than any other
caregivers, know the importance of keeping patients at the
core of any and all reform efforts. MEDITECH's recent Chief
Nurse Executive (CNE) Symposium was designed to help prepare
this community to take their rightful seats at the decision-making
table, as future challenges place even more demands on their
unique knowledge and experience.
Keynote Speaker Patrice Spath, health care quality specialist
at Brown-Spath & Associates, kicked off the event with a
look at how nurse leaders can translate their goals for
performance excellence into concrete results and positive
outcomes. She urged attendees to reach beyond temporary fixes
for process and safety problems, to establish a proactive
plan for improving overall quality at their facilities. She
was followed by Kay Miller, RN, vice president and chief
nursing officer at Medical Center of the Rockies, who
discussed how Poudre Valley Health System developed an I.T.
strategy to help them improve care and eventually receive the
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality award.
In addition, several nurse executives from MEDITECH
facilities offered their insight on creating a culture of
excellence—thus paving the way for not only I.T.
adoption, but also, long-lasting care improvements. The
speakers agreed that by keeping quality central to their
efforts, their hospitals' efficiency and finances were
naturally enhanced as well. Audience members also chimed in
with their views on the hot topics of the day, particularly
during networking sessions on quality and core measures. And
members of MEDITECH's Development staff highighted the many
forums where nurse executives can get information and keep in
touch with their peers after the symposium.
With so many accomplished nurse leaders present, it was
perhaps no surprise that Healthcare Leadership Council
President Mary Grealy urged all attendees to offer their
expertise and advice to their government representatives, as
they discuss upcoming industry improvements on a national
scale. We at MEDITECH look forward to assisting their
improvement efforts in the coming months, as well as
welcoming them back to our 2010 workshops to share their
successes!
MEDITECH
Medical
Information Technology, Inc.
MEDITECH Circle
Westwood, MA 02090
781-821-3000
www.meditech.com