HEN participants make major strides in readmission, harm reduction

Participants in the Hospital Engagement Network (HEN) initiative have made significant progress in reducing readmissions and patient harms, according to Hospitals & Health Networks.

HENs were established in 2011 with the goal of reducing readmissions by 20 percent and patient harm by 40 percent over the next three years. 

As of December 2013, hospitals participating in the American Hospital Association/Health Research Educational Trust (AHA/HRET) HEN, the largest of the networks, have improved quality in the 10 core areas measured by the HEN program. These improvements led to better care for nearly 70,000 patients and savings of $201.8 million, according to the article. Specifically, AHA/HRET HEN hospitals have reduced:

• Pressure ulcers by 26 percent

• Readmissions for heart failure patients by 13 percent

• Central line-associated infections for intensive care patients by 23 percent

• Ventilator-associated pneumonia by 34 percent

• Early-elective deliveries by 57 percent

The article features the improvements made by Lea Regional Medical Center in Hobbs, New Mexico and Indiana's Pulaski Memorial Hospital, such as collaboration with frontline staff and C-suite leaders. 

Another HEN, the Essential Hospitals Engagement Network, prevented nearly 1,200 harmful events and saved nearly $12 million, FierceHealthcare reported last year, while Illinois' state HEN reaped savings of more than $160 million.

To learn more:
- read the H&HN article
- here's information on AHA/HRET