Special Note: Many WHA members proud of their quality improvement efforts had prepared special poster presentations that were to be displayed in the Capitol Rotunda during WHA’s Advocacy Day 2020, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WHA is pleased to highlight these efforts in today’s and future editions of The Valued Voice.
Marshfield Medical Center’s strategic plan calls for putting quality and safety first. While sepsis is a life-threatening condition, it is well known that early recognition and treatment of sepsis saves lives. To improve outcomes for patients presenting with severe sepsis or septic shock, Marshfield Medical Center has taken a collaborative, multidisciplinary and continuous improvement approach to implement evidence-based care.
Dr. Ali Al-Hilli, hospitalist, and Michaela Wilsmann, RN, MSN, clinical quality nurse, co-lead a system-wide sepsis improvement team that meets monthly. This team consists of dedicated and action-oriented members from the emergency department, hospitalists group, ICUs, pharmacy, quality improvement, resident physicians and general floor leaders.
Early in the sepsis improvement work, the team partnered with Information Technology to ensure sepsis care is hardwired into order sets. The team also developed education for hospital staff, including pocket cards, posters and computer-based training. On an ongoing basis, the sepsis improvement team reviews every opportunity to improve. There is great engagement and discussions, which supports continuous improvement.
The efforts of the sepsis improvement team have paid off. The work of the team has exceeded the state and national averages for bundle compliance. Given research has shown that compliance with sepsis care leads to reduced mortality, Marshfield Medical Center’s sepsis improvement team efforts will continue.
“I am proud to recognize Marshfield Medical Center for their hard work improving care through this project. Wisconsin’s reputation for high-quality health care is a result of hospitals like Marshfield working together in collaboration to share innovative practices, which is clearly evident in this successful work.”
– State Senator Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls)
“Marshfield Medical Center continues to shine as a leader in quality health care in Wisconsin. Understanding the challenges of early recognition and effective treatment of patients who have sepsis is no easy task. The work Marshfield Medical Center is doing will help support patients in their local community and care teams at hospitals across the rest of the state.”
– State Rep. Bob Kulp (R-Stratford)
See the Quality Poster from Marshfield Medical Center.