Ohio hospitals’ patient safety success a national model

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius visited Columbus this week to praise a group of Ohio hospitals that have reduced infections and medication errors (Source: “Ohio health-care steps get national notice,” Columbus Dispatch, March 22, 2011).

Sebelius and other federal officials came to Ohio to announce a new program that will enable the Ohio hospitals to share their initiative with hospitals nationwide.

About two years ago, adult hospitals in central Ohio and the eight children's hospitals across the state agreed to work together to focus on safety. The partnership, called Solutions for Patient Safety, was announced after Cardinal Health pledged $1.5 million to pay for training and other efforts to improve care. The company's foundation, 25 hospitals, various hospital groups and the Ohio Business Roundtable worked together to reduce avoidable illnesses and deaths.