Knowledge has no borders and more knowledge means better preparation and overall results. Healthcare is no different. Hospitals, physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers work every day to design systems of care that are safe, effective, evidence-based and efficient. Taking that knowledge and sharing it with others benefits everyone. We can all learn from each other's successes and challenges and apply those lessons to continuously improve our performance.

The New Jersey Hospital Association and its member hospitals are currently participating in one of these innovations called Partnership for Patients. Partnership for Patients is a national initiative developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve the quality, safety and affordability of healthcare.

NJHA's Health Research and Educational Trust was selected by CMS to lead this effort in New Jersey as a "hospital engagement network."

The two goals of Partnership for Patients are:

• Keep patients from getting injured or sicker. By the end of 2013, healthcare-associated conditions (HACs) would decrease by 40 percent compared to 2010. Achieving this goal would mean about 1.8 million fewer injuries to patients, with more than 60,000 lives saved over the next three years.
  
  
• Help patients heal without complications. By the end of 2013, preventable complications during a transition from one care setting to another would be decreased so that hospital readmissions would be reduced by 20 percent compared to 2010. Achieving this goal would mean more than 1.6 million patients could recover from illness without suffering a preventable complication requiring readmission to the hospital within 30 days of discharge.

Save the Date! Upcoming PfP Learning Sessions

Links for registration will be posted as they become available.

• March 22: Eliminating HAIs Learning Session
• April 26: Adverse Drug Events Learning Session
• April 29: Perinatal Safety Learning Session
• May 9: Transforming Care at the Bedside Learning Session
• May 22: Caring for our Most Vulnerable Population Learning Session
• June 12: Eliminating Inappropriate Readmissions Learning Session
• June 20: Cultural Diversity
• June 28: Pressure Ulcers Learning Session
• Sept. 9: CUSP ESRD Learning Session
• Sept. 11: ICU Learning Session
• Sept. 23, 24: TeamSTEPPS™ Master Trainer Certification Program
• Sept. 25: Eliminating SSIs Learning Session
• Oct. 14: Patient & Family Engagement / Changing Culture Learning Session
• Oct. 23: MDRO
• Nov. 6: TeamSTEPPS™ Master Trainer Refresher Course
• Nov. 12: Adverse Drug Events Learning Session
• Nov. 20: Writing for Publishing
• Dec. 19: Eliminating HAIs Learning Session