Carol Birk Named New Coalition Executive Director
INDIANAPOLIS--(Business Wire)--
The Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety (Coalition) has
announced that Suburban Health Organization (SHO) has joined its
efforts. SHO is an organization composed of eight central Indiana
hospitals working together to promote quality, efficiency and patient
access.
Suburban hospitals include St. Vincent Health, which is currently
a Coalition member, Hancock Regional Hospital, Hendricks Regional
Health, Henry County Hospital, Morgan Hospital & Medical Center,
Riverview Hospital, Witham Health Services, and Westview Medical
Campus.
"Suburban and our Hospitals have a long-standing commitment to
improving patient safety, and this is an excellent opportunity for us
to participate in regional efforts," said Julie M. Carmichael, FACHE,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Suburban.
"We understand that common protocols for the same procedures in
different locations can cut down on mistakes. By pooling our expertise
with the Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety, we are
demonstrating our commitment to patient safety throughout central
Indiana and accelerating improvement through a community-wide effort,"
Carmichael continued.
In other news, Carol Birk, Director, PharmaTAP, Purdue University,
has been named as the Coalition's new Executive Director. In addition
to her duties at Purdue, she will be responsible for the
administration and overall direction of the Coalition. Birk replaces
Kathy Rapala, who has accepted a new position as Director of Clinical
Risk Management at Aurora Health in Wisconsin.
"Carol brings a solid background in catalyzing improvement in
patient safety, clinical quality and efficiency in a multitude of
settings," said Dr. Glenn Bingle, chair of the Coalition and Community
Health Network vice president for medical and academic affairs. "Her
extensive experience assembling multi-disciplinary teams will support
the existing work and structure of the Coalition and help to bring its
knowledge to a broader set of healthcare providers."
Birk received her B.S. in Pharmacy from Purdue University, an M.S.
in Pharmacy Administration from University of Wisconsin, and completed
a two year administrative residency at the University of Wisconsin.
She has extensive experience in hospital pharmacy practice and
healthcare performance improvement.
The Coalition is comprised of chief executive, medical, nursing
and pharmacy officers from Indianapolis-area hospitals, including
Clarian Health, Community Health Network, Richard L. Roudebush VA
Medical Center, St. Francis Hospital and Health Services, St. Vincent
Health and Wishard Health Services. In addition, there is
participation by entities such as Eli Lilly and Company, WellPoint,
Inc., Indiana University, Purdue University, the Regenstrief Center
for Healthcare Engineering and the Regenstrief Institute, Inc.
Since being founded in 2003, the Coalition provides a forum for
Indianapolis-area hospitals to share information about 'best
practices' and work together to solve the most concerning patient
safety issues in Indianapolis hospitals in a non-punitive setting.
The Coalition patient safety projects are:
-- analyzing processes used to dispense high alert drugs;
-- implementing a surgical site marking and time-out policy;
-- root cause analysis review;
-- patient safety round programs;
-- implementing standardized abbreviations; and
-- participating in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Campaigns and other national initiatives.
About the Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety:
The Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety, formed in 2003, is
a non-profit, public-private partnership of health care leaders
committed to advancing patient safety efforts. Its membership includes
Indianapolis-area hospital systems, as well as participants who
purchase, insure, support or educate the health care community.
Through their shared vision, the Indianapolis health care community
has accelerated the pace of patient safety improvement in
Indianapolis. www.indypatientsafety.org.
About Suburban Health Organization:
Suburban Health Organization (SHO) is a physician and hospital
network serving central Indiana since 1994. Its eight central Indiana
hospitals work together to promote quality, efficiency and patient
access in the communities they serve. SHO's Quality Management Council
includes physician and quality management leaders who meet regularly
to share information and collaborate on opportunities to improve
clinical care, patient safety and patient satisfaction.
www.suburbanhealth.com
Indiana Health Information Exchange
Jenny Siminski, 317-644-1724 Office
Cell: 317-213-5466
E-mail: jsiminski@ihie.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
