Collaborations
Improved Efficiency---Equipment Delivery Times
I hope you and your patients recognize the exemplary efforts of the Equipment Logistics Task Force. This interdisciplinary group worked for more than 2 years to address the concerns voiced by you and your colleagues about frustrating delays in central pool equipment delivery times and equipment availability. Recent data show significant improvement in delivery times, decreasing delays of 60 minutes or more from 11% to 3% for the delivery of the 5 key patient care items--single and dual infusion pumps, SCD controllers, and acute care and ICU beds. Bravo!
Community Medication Cards-Reaching into the community
Cindy Westley, Director of Patient and Family Education, is involved in a project with staff from UVA, Martha Jefferson and Health South to assist individuals and families manage their complex home medication regimens. This inter-agency effort resulted in the creation of a common Personal Medicine List. The list is designed to enable patients keep track of all medicines-prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins and supplements. Personal Medicine Lists are available at clinics, procedure areas and outpatient pharmacies. Community agencies have a supply to share with their clients. Literacy providers helped in the design of the tool to enable its use even for those individuals with reading challenges. Currently, the lists are being used and evaluated.