Individual

Hera Dore, Sharp Coronado Hospital

Hera has a passion for improving patient outcomes. To reduce in-hospital mortality due to sepsis, Hera worked collaboratively with leaders and frontline team members to promote early recognition of sepsis, followed by early diagnostic testing and interventions of patients admitted through the Emergency Department. Following one year of dedicated effort, techniques, assessments and analysis, Hera and her team led Sharp Coronado from a sepsis mortality rate of 21 percent to an impressive top decile rate of 5 percent.

Team

AFib Stroke Prophylaxis, Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center

This multidisciplinary team reduced the risk of stroke among patients with atrial fibrillation discharged from the Emergency Department by significantly increasing clinical guideline compliance. A review of at-risk patients confirmed that many were not receiving appropriate oral anticoagulant therapy. The team implemented a standardized risk assessment, validated appropriate levels of therapy, and developed a referral process for post-discharge follow-up. Following implementation, compliance with therapy increased from 62 percent to nearly 88 percent, higher than national registry levels.

Department

Emergency Department, Sharp Coronado Hospital

Sepsis and septic shock continue to be the leading cause of patient mortality in hospitals. Early detection and timely intervention can reduce mortality, morbidity and total cost of patient care. Team members set goals of early sepsis bundle compliance and timely treatment. The department created a "60-Day Sepsis Challenge," rewarding nurses for identifying potential sepsis cases. This put early recognition of symptoms at the forefront. Compliance with the early sepsis bundle increased from 39 percent to over 70 percent.