Central Illinois is home to several prominent hospitals. However, a recent evaluation by the notable non-profit organization, The Leapfrog Group, reveals that many of these healthcare facilities have only managed to secure average or subpar safety grades. Aimed at fostering transparency in U.S healthcare, these ratings are of vital importance to infection prevention professionals.
The Peoria-based OSF HealthCare St. Francis Medical Center, one of the city’s three major hospitals, was assigned a ‘C’ grade. Carle Health’s hospitals, Methodist and Proctor Hospitals, underperformed, receiving ‘D’ grades. Similarly, Carle Health Pekin Hospital was rated ‘D’, and Canton’s Graham Hospital landed a ‘C’. Meanwhile, OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg shone with an ‘A’, the highest rating given to a central Illinois hospital in this cycle.
The Leapfrog Group determines its rankings through the analysis of data provided by the hospitals themselves and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These evaluations delve into 31 different safety measures, including infection control procedures, surgical safety protocols, and effective internal communication among hospital staff.
OSF St. Francis garnered commendations for excelling at preventing dangerous objects from being left in patients’ bodies, controlling hazardous blood clots, averted collapsed lungs and air embolisms, and integrating medications strategically using computer software. The hospital was also recognized for its effective communication to thwart errors and its superior care for intensive care unit patients.
However, the hospital fell short in some areas, like handling post-surgical sepsis infections. Certain aspects of surgical safety, such as preventing accidental cuts or tears, blood leakage, surgical wound splits, and complications after surgery or childbirth were also identified as areas needing improvement. The hospital was found to be lacking in following proper handwashing procedures, averting death from treatable complications, and fostering effective leadership and responsiveness of hospital staff.
Methodist Hospital emerged strong in surgery-related safety measures but was found wanting in areas related to staff communication, error prevention, medication administration, and hospital-acquired infections.
Proctor Hospital exhibited weaknesses in preventing C. diff and sepsis infections after surgery, despite high marks for preventing dangerous objects left in patients and other patient safety markers.
Unfortunately, Carle’s Pekin facility failed to disclose data on post-operative infections, though it demonstrated strengths and weaknesses in other areas.
As for Canton’s Graham Hospital, despite earning a commendable score for communication practices and computer-based patient safety procedures, the hospital performed poorly in preventing infections.
Last but not least, St Mary’s in Galesburg, the top performer, showed consistency in patient safety practices but struggled with preventing collapsed lungs and specific types of infections. Nevertheless, they performed well when it came to procedures related to prescribing and administering medication, ensuring proper hygiene, employing specially trained doctors in intensive care units, and fostering a culture of teamwork and effective leadership.
Despite their varied performance, all of these hospitals underline the critical importance of vigilance and continuous improvement in infection prevention practices.