Atlantic General Hospital Presents at 4th Annual Maryland Patient Safety Conference

Methods to reduce c. diff bacterial infection rates recognized

Atlantic General Hospital was one of six Maryland hospitals selected to present solutions at the 4th Annual Maryland Patient Safety Conference, held in March.

In response to an increased incidence of clostridium-difficile bacteria (c. diff) – a highly contagious germ that can easily spread among patients, visitors and staff – in hospitals nationwide as well as in this region, Atlantic General instituted a multidisciplinary solution to decrease infection rates in their facility. The project involved six hospital departments and resulted in dramatic declines over the 2007 calendar year.

More than 150 individuals watched the presentation and the 11,000 conference attendees received Atlantic General Hospital’s presentation in their Directory of Solutions.

“The Maryland Patient Safety Center brings together health care providers to share their methods for improvement in patient safety to prevent errors and, ultimately, offer the patient a better hospital experience,” said Carol Ann Boswell, director of quality at Atlantic General Hospital. “This conference is a wonderful way to exchange ideas, and we were happy to present the results of our practice improvements.”

About the Maryland Patient Safety Center

The Maryland Patient Safety Center brings together health care providers to study the causes of unsafe practices and put practical improvements in place to prevent errors. Designated in 2004 by the Maryland Healthcare Commission, the Center’s vision is to make Maryland hospitals and nursing homes the safest in the nation.

The Center is part of a unique approach to patient safety developed by the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) in response to legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2001. The approach combines limited mandatory reporting of serious adverse events to the state health department with voluntary systems improvement activities coordinated by a statewide patient safety center. To carry out its charge to improve safety in Maryland, the Center focuses on collaboration and education, voluntary confidential reporting, and research. For more information about the Center, visit www.marylandpatientsafety.org.