CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hospitals and health systems participating in Premier, Inc.'s (Nasdaq:PINC) Hospital Engagement Network (HEN) have avoided more than 35,600 readmissions, contributing to a savings of at least $313 million over 2012 and 2013.
Through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Partnership for Patients initiative, Premier operates the second largest HEN, consisting of more than 400 hospitals across 50 health systems. These providers are working together to achieve the goals set by the Partnership for Patients to reduce preventable readmissions by 20 percent and preventable hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) by 40 percent from January 2012 through December 2014.
More than 75 percent of Premier's HEN has met or exceeded the 40 percent reduction goal for stage III and IV pressure ulcers. In addition, many participants are well on their way to meeting the goal for several other preventable HACs. This includes reducing:
- Central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) by 33 percent with more than 150 participants meeting or exceeding the goal.
- Obstetrical trauma of vaginal deliveries without instruments by nearly 30 percent with nearly 100 participants meeting or exceeding the goal.
- Falls associated with fractures or dislocations by 25 percent with more than half of participants meeting or exceeding the goal.
Participants continue to make progress against the goals in 2014.
"This is an example of what scale can mean to performance improvement in healthcare," said Wes Champion, senior vice president of Premier Performance Partners. "Premier HEN hospitals are constantly engaging with each other to transparently share data, outcomes and resources. It requires a lot of trust, focus and commitment to achieve this type of improvement across such a large group of hospitals. We couldn't be happier to see what they are accomplishing and look forward to the final results."
Premier's HEN works at the regional, state, national and hospital system level to identify solutions to reduce HACs and readmissions, and spread best practices and resources to other healthcare providers. Participants collaborate to:
- Transparently share progress on a set of uniform measures on a regular basis;
- Share best practices and successful innovations with all members of the HEN; and
- Commit to participate in educational initiatives and site visits.
About Premier, Inc.
Premier, Inc. (Nasdaq:PINC) is a leading healthcare improvement company, uniting an alliance of approximately 3,000 U.S. hospitals and 110,000 other providers to transform healthcare. With integrated data and analytics, collaboratives, supply chain solutions, and advisory and other services, Premier enables better care and outcomes at a lower cost. Premier, a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient, plays a critical role in the rapidly evolving healthcare industry, collaborating with members to co-develop long-term innovations that reinvent and improve the way care is delivered to patients nationwide. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Premier is passionate about transforming American healthcare. Please visit Premier's news and investor sites on www.premierinc.com/; as well as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Foursquare and Premier's blog for more information about the company.
CONTACT: Alven Weil, Premier, Inc.; Alven_Weil@PremierInc.com, 704.816.5797