Springfield—A Wabash General Hospital initiative to improve outcomes of total joint replacement patients was on display in the State Capitol on April 3rd as part of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association’s (IHA) Quality Advocacy Showcase. Wabash General Hospital leaders met with legislators to share how the initiative has benefited patients, families and communities while reducing healthcare costs.

Kim Pearson, RN, Executive Vice President of Clinical Services, and Katheryn McWhirter, RN, Vice President of Quality were among over 100 hospital and health system leaders from across Illinois who met with legislators about their efforts to improve patient care and safety. In sum, 90 hospitals and health systems showcased their improvement projects at the event.

“Our therapy department has put in a tremendous amount of time to make sure our patients are well prepared prior to having their joint replacement surgeries.  We are committed to our patients having the best possible hospital experience while delivering high-quality care. It was a great opportunity to network with our legislators and discuss all of the hard work that takes place every day at Wabash General Hospital,” said Mrs. McWhirter, Vice President of Quality.

Mrs. Pearson & Mrs. McWhirter met with Senator Dale Righter and Representative Darren Bailey during the event. Mrs. Pearson said, “The legislators were really engaged in listening to us this year.  We truly appreciate their interests in the work we are doing in our rural communities!”

With a focus on improving outcomes of total joint replacements patients, Wabash General Hospital’s project was based around the development of a Joint Camp to prepare patients for surgery and recovery to improve patient outcome.  Every joint replacement patient is encouraged to attend a class before surgery.  As a result of this program, Wabash General Hospital increased its HCAHPS pain management domain ranking from the 68th percentile to the 99th percentile and decreased inpatient length of stay from 3.2 days to 2.4 days.  The hospital invested $10,000 and saw a cost savings of $287,000. For the patients, families and communities, Wabash General Hospital serves, the project:

• Improves quality of care,

• Improves patient experience, and

• Reduces length of stay.

IHA’s Quality Advocacy Showcase, in its fourth year, visually demonstrates the work of physicians, nurses, quality improvement leaders and hospital administrators to develop and implement solutions to improve care. IHA produced one 30-by-42-inch poster per hospital or health system project for the event.

“The Showcase gives hospital leaders and frontline staff an important opportunity to share their efforts to advance quality care,” said IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi. “It’s essential that policymakers and elected officials see how Illinois hospitals are doing more to serve their patients and communities—through innovation and practical strategies that improve outcomes.”