C. Wright Pinson, M.D., M.B.A., center, Jerry Batte and Diane Seloff listen to a speaker at this week’s meeting. (photo by Neil Brake)
VMG programs, progress reviewed at annual meeting
Officials at this week's annual meeting of the Vanderbilt medical staff and Vanderbilt Medical Group spoke to signs of flourishing programs and progress in numerous patient satisfaction and quality improvement initiatives.
“We are very, very fortunate,” said C. Wright Pinson, M.D., MBA, associate vice chancellor for Clinical Affairs and chief medical officer. “We have many dedicated people here and I want to thank everyone for their efforts.”
Among the highlights was VMG's financial progress. Revenue in the current fiscal year is projected to be $356.4 million, which will exceed last year's by $37.9 million.
Pinson outlined the VMG's performance relating to a number of different indicators: mortality rates are improving; patient satisfaction surveys continue to garner top rakings for physicians and departments; and, when surveyed about which hospital they deem the best in Tennessee, patients continue to rank Vanderbilt highly. Also noted was Vanderbilt's marked success in reducing surgical site infection.
The Leapfrog Group, an organization that evaluates hospitals for quality and safety, has ranked Vanderbilt among the best of the best, with Vanderbilt University Hospital receiving the designation of “2007 Leapfrog Top Hospitals.” Only 33 out of the 1,285 hospital evaluated were designated “Top Hospitals.”
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has renewed Vanderbilt Medical Center's certification. The NCQA ensures that health care providers have systems in place to protect the confidentiality and integrity of patient information. The NCQA praised Vanderbilt for excellence in patient confidentiality and its use of informatics technology.
Also presented at the meeting was a progress update on Vanderbilt Health at One Hundred Oaks, the Medical Center's second campus project currently under way.