Successful Project at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano Earns Visit by National Quality Team

Contact: Susan Hall, 214-820-1817
Email: susanh@baylorhealth.edu

(PLANO, TEXAS - Nov. 19, 2007) -On Wednesday, Nov. 7, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano staff hosted a team from the "5 Million Lives" campaign, a national effort to encourage adoption of 12 improvements in care at hospitals to save lives and reduce patient injuries. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) initiated this campaign in December 2006 for a 24-month period.

Baylor Plano was the only Texas site selected to present a successful patient project to the IHI team. Led by Pat Cooper, RHIA, director of health care improvement at Baylor Plano, clinicians presented their project, which targeted the prevention of surgical infections.

"Team members devoted many hours to this project, which ultimately ensures better care for the patients we treat," says Jerri Garison, president, Baylor Plano.

"Everyone involved in this effort deserves congratulations," says Roy W. Lamkin, chairman of the board of trustees, Baylor Plano.

The 5 Million Lives campaign, which is sponsored principally by America's Blue Cross and Blue Shield health plans, builds upon the success of the 100,000 Lives Campaign, in which 3,100 participating hospitals reduced inpatient deaths by an estimated 122,000 in 18 months through overall improvement in care, including improvement associated with six interventions recommended by the initiative. Baylor Health Care System has participated in both IHI campaigns.
Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano brings residents of Collin County and North Texas the benefits of an acute care medical and surgical facility that meets adult health care needs. Baylor Plano provides comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up care and offers a center of excellence - the Baylor Scoliosis Center. Other specialized clinical services include neurosciences, medical and radiation oncology, surgical weight loss, women's services, gynecology, urology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, a sleep center, pain management, all digital imaging, diabetes management and more.

As part of Baylor Health Care System, Baylor Plano offers patients access to innovative treatments and clinical trials performed through Baylor Research Institute in such areas as oncology and cardiovascular services. For fiscal year 2007, Baylor Health Care System will report $390 million in community benefits to the Department of State Health Services.