LRGHealthcare initiatives in patient safety and infection control rated among the best in state

LACONIA — A collaborative effort between departments at LRGHealthcare has resulted in multiple recognitions in patient safety and infection control in the past six months.

Earlier this summer, Franklin Regional Hospital (FRH) received a 2014 Healthgrades Patient Safety of Excellence Award. This award recognizes the top 10% of hospitals as leaders in patient safety based upon the analysis of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHQR) patient safety indicators. Over 4,700 hospitals are evaluated and 381 hospitals were recognized with having the lowest occurrences of thirteen serious, potentially preventable complications during a patient stay. FRH was one of only two hospitals in the state of New Hampshire to be presented with this award.

Lakes Region General Hospital (LRGH) was 1 of the only 4 hospitals in the state having a lower than predicted surgical site infection rate, based on the number of surgeries provided, according to the State of New Hampshire Healthcare-Associated Infections 2013 Hospital Report. "A major part of creating a safe environment for our patients is teamwork," stated Dr. M. Abigail Dacuycuy, Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention, "the focus and energy from staff in taking all necessary precautions is evident."

The hand hygiene campaign measures the compliance rate of all clinical departments within the LRGHealthcare organization; both hospitals, Hillside Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC), and Laconia Clinic ASC. The NH Healthcare Quality Assurance Commission collects data from all hospitals and ASCs in the state and considers a 95% compliance rate as the standard of care. Darlene Burrows, Director of Infection Control and Prevention, says that while LRGHealthcare as a whole averages between a 90% and 95% compliance rate, all departments are working towards achieving a 100% compliance rate.

With summer coming to an end and autumn around the corner, Dr. Dacuycuy and Darlene (on behalf of the entire LRGHealthcare staff) would like to remind the community that flu season is approaching. LRGHealthcare will be offering flu clinics at various sites throughout the Lakes and Twin River Regions starting in mid-October. Please be on the lookout for specific dates, times, and locations.