We’re always developing better methods to provide the highest level of care at Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System (HRHS), so much so that we’ve created a friendly annual competition, the President’s Quality Awards. 
The President’s Quality Awards, established in 2013, recognize units who initiate projects to improve the quality of healthcare throughout the organization. What makes this year’s competition even more special is that these projects were undertaken at a time when our employees were dealing with a world-wide pandemic. Many employees were working double shifts and dozens volunteered to work extra hours to complete their projects. An impressive nine units crossed the finish line and submitted projects that will deliver long-term benefits to Hutchinson Regional and our patients.
In the end, the Pharmacy and Infusion Center shared top honors, the Environmental Services group finished second, and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) earned third place.
Highlights from the top three demonstrate the vision and planning by these groups of dedicated employees:
—–Pharmacy and Infusion Center
As COVID-19 cases skyrocketed in 2020, leading to increased hospitalizations and a shortage of available beds, the Hutchinson Regional Pharmacy and Infusion Center put their heads together to develop a plan that would ease the shortage. The groups drew a blueprint for infusing COVID-19 patients with a Monoclonal Drug, which was proven to decrease symptoms and reduce hospitalizations. Infusions were offered seven days per week at the hospital.
As is a tradition at Hutchinson Regional, we share our successes with neighboring communities and invited other healthcare organizations to send patients to us for infusions. A total of 628 COVID-19 infusions were administered at Hutchinson Regional between November 2020 and March 2021. National leaders took note of the successful infusion program at Hutchinson Regional, resulting in a visit from Senator Jerry Moran.
—Environmental Services Department
Second place honors went to the innovative Environmental Services Department for a project established to reduce Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) using techniques to alternate between chemicals and disinfecting devices. Central to the plan was incorporating UV Light Technology in conjunction with established cleaning and disinfecting efforts. The UV Light Technology was first used in patient isolation rooms and daily common areas before being expanded to other areas of the hospital.
The results exceeded all expectations. HAIs decreased, resulting in multiple units and staff being able to achieve efficiencies with increased productivity.
–Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Earning third place, the Intensive Care Unit designed a solution to reduce hospital-acquired pressure ulcers among adult patients.
A handpicked group of ICU nurses researched the problem while developing a list of possible solutions, including implementation of the “turning wedge,” which was used starting in 2020 for all patients meeting the criteria: prolonged bedrest or current pressure injury. Results were quick as the number of pressure injuries reduced from ten during an 18-month period (January 2019 to June 2020) to zero during the period of June 2020 to April 2021. As a result of the successful application of the turning wedge, directors throughout the hospital implemented a plan to use this method in all units of the facility for patients at risk for pressure injury.
All four departments will receive cash grants (first: $500, second: $400, third: $300) which can be used for a project of each department’s choosing.
These innovative and visionary projects model our ongoing efforts to provide the highest quality of care and implement new technology and methods to better serve our patients. We could not be prouder of our employees who go the extra mile each day to make Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System the best for our neighbors and a destination place for all Kansans.
By Ken Johnson, President & CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System.
