West Penn Allegheny Health System Initiatives

Computer Physician Order Entry (CPOE)

A well-known source of errors in any setting relates to human error. Fallibility is part of the human condition and since we cannot change the human condition, we can change the conditions under which people work.  CPOE is an important method of changing the process of how treatments are ordered in the hospital and the West Penn Allegheny Health System has made a very significant investment to improve patient safety with this initiative. Many sources of potential error are eliminated with CPOE. For example, the computer can automatically check for the proper dose of a medication and review the patient’s history for possible allergies to that drug. The CPOE system, known as Sunrise, also incorporates all of the safe practices endorsed by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), including the use of “Tallman” lettering. This method highlights various letters in drug names that are similar to draw the attention of the practitioner and possibly avoid error. Sunrise was recently activated at AGH.

 

Excellence Makeover Hospital Design

West Penn Allegheny Health System has developed “The Excellence Makeover Hospital Design,” a unique concept where teams or units undergo rapid cycle processes improvement to redesign the patient experience. Excellence Makeover incorporates concepts from the Toyota production system, theory of constraints and six sigma, as well as other change and process redesign concepts. Several units at AGH, including the Emergency Department and CCU/MICU, are employing these concepts to improve the patient experience. The Harvard Business Review, the JCAHO Journal for Quality and Patient Safety, Wall Street Journal and PBS have recognized West Penn Allegheny Health System as a leader in the application of these various concepts. 

 

Most Wired Supply Chain Award

Using e-commerce techniques and vendor partnerships pioneered by the grocery store industry, West Penn Allegheny Health System has created a streamlined system to decentralize supplies and pharmaceuticals—establishing a greater number of inventory locations throughout the hospital settings in the system. The electronic automating system has reduced the number of steps in the ordering and procurement process, increased supply chain reliability and netted more than $7 million in annual economic improvements. In recognition of this initiative, West Penn Allegheny Health System was presented with the 2006 Most Wired Supply Chain Award by Materials Management in Healthcare Magazine the Association for Healthcare Resources & Materials Management, and the Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study conducted by Hospitals and Health Networks—the journal of The American Hospital Association (AHA). (http://www.matmanmag.com/matmanmag_app/index.jsp) West Penn Allegheny Health System also received the 2007 Achievement Award for Operational Excellence by the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania (HAP). This award showcases and shares member hospitals’ and health systems’ innovation, creativity and best practices in a variety of health-care areas, including workforce, community outreach and engagement; patient safety; patient care; and operational excellence. WPAHS was one of 14 health-care providers recognized in 2007 by HAP from a pool of 113 award entries.

 

Best Doctors Listing

Eight-six physicians from West Penn Allegheny Health System have been recognized in the 2007 edition of The Best Doctors in America, a peer-review based guide to the nation’s top health-care professionals. Produced annually by an independent research firm, the methodology used in Best Doctors is a confidential survey of physicians who were acknowledged in the most recent edition of the report, asking for nominations of doctors that they consider to be the best trained, most experienced and most skilled specialists in the United States—regardless of where they practice.