PDF agendaSummit updates!
For the first time ever, close to 400 senior hospital executives – most of them CEOs, CMOs and CNOs – joined together at the Chasing Zero Summit, to address one of healthcare’s most pressing issues: healthcare-associated infections (HAIs.) Cardinal Health’s goal in hosting this event was to provide a forum for hospital executives and the nation’s leading healthcare authorities to identify new and innovative ways to dramatically reduce costs and improve patient safety by driving healthcare-acquired infections to zero.In an informal poll of Chasing Zero Summit attendees, respondents said that of the 11 preventable conditions that now receive lower or no Medicare reimbursements, the top three most difficult conditions to address are HAIs. In addition, 80 percent of poll respondents indicated that increasing hospital staff awareness, education and training related to infection prevention would have the most significant impact on providers’ abilities to reduce HAIs.
Four key themes that emerged during the Chasing Zero Summit:
- Leadership is central to driving change. Organizations take their cues from leaders... and getting involvement at the board level is key.
- There is great work underway in pockets throughout healthcare, but collaboration is essential to success. Real change will come when we no longer approach this issue independently.
- We need to shift our focus to population health. We need to move beyond just treating disease to preventing illness and improving the overall health of our communities.
- The time to act is now.
It is clear that HAIs represent a great challenge. By addressing them in new and more effective ways, collectively, we have an opportunity to drive measurable improvements in patient safety and reduce overall healthcare costs. Your organization’s leadership in driving change on HAIs and other industry concerns will make the difference in our nation’s health. Continue the chase for zero HAIs in your organization!
If you would like to learn more about the inaugural Chasing Zero Summit or be made aware of the next Chasing Zero Summit dates and location, please email: ChasingZeroHAI@cardinalhealth.com.
