Memorial Hermann wins Texas Hospital Association's Bill Aston Award for Quality

Memorial Hermann has received the Texas Hospital Association's Bill Aston Award for Quality in its category.

The award is given in recognition of hospitals that improve quality and patient outcomes in measurable ways and through the use of evidence-based patient care initiatives.

Many of the improvements came from a challenge to Michael Shabot, chief medical officer, to bring Memorial Hermann to a zero HAI rate and make changes that could be sustained in all its hospitals. Shabot created a 50-person task force to determine what could be done to meet the challenge.

MHHS began implementing new responsibilities for infection control, comprehensive reporting measures, monthly operational reviews, self-assessments and strategic plans. It also upgraded its electronic medical record system and other key systems.

Since the challenge, the blood stream infection rate decreased 86 percent, adult ventilator-associated pneumonia has dropped 81 percent and one of the 12 hospitals in the system has reached zero infections for both.

The award was accepted by Juan Inurria, system executive for quality and patient safety, at the THA Conference and Expo on Thursday, Feb. 2.

For more information on Memorial Hermann, visit www.memorialhermann.org.