Reducing Patient Harm Through LEAPT

Since 2011, Atrium Health has collaborated with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and 26 other healthcare organizations to significantly and aggressively reduce patient harm and readmissions in 10 clinical focus areas.

As part of the national Partnership for Patients Hospital Engagement Networks (HEN), supported by CMS, the System has prevented nearly 9,844 potential patient safety events from January 2012 to August 2014, equal to nearly $60 million savings.

In recognition of its achievements in the HEN, Atrium Health was one of only six health organizations chosen by CMS to further improve patient safety and outcomes through the Leading Edge Advanced Practice Topics (LEAPT) program, which was a continuation and expansion of the HEN. The system has contributed to the Partnership for Patients goals by testing innovative approaches to complex healthcare issues, analyzing cost savings from the elimination of healthcare-acquired conditions and sharing learnings with a national network of organizations and hospitals through LEAPT.

For LEAPT, Atrium Health has focused on:

• Developing standard approaches to treating severe sepsis and septic shock
• Expanding antimicrobial stewardship activities
• Reducing readmissions through collaboration with home health agencies and skilled nursing facilities
• Analyzing surgeon performance and team communication to improve outcomes