Jackson County Memorial Hospital was recognized by the Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality for its participation in a program to reduce incidents of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).  The OFMQ is the quality improvement organization for Oklahoma hospitals.

JCMH has created a culture of patient safety.  Preventing MRSA is one precaution that staff is continuously aware. With hand-hygiene considered the best practice to eliminate MRSA transmission, containers of anti-microbial hand foam are in place in multiple locations throughout the hospital and are within easy reach for everyone’s use.  Signage reminds staff to “foam in and foam out” as they enter and exit patient rooms. 

“The significance of hand-hygiene compliance has helped us to continue providing quality and safe care to our patients,” explained Kay Bolding, the hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services.  “The increased prevalence of MRSA coming into the hospital from the community necessitates the use of these proven precautions.  The results are reassuring that we are accomplishing our goal.”

Dorothy Butler, Registered Nurse, directs Infection Control and Prevention activities at Jackson County Memorial Hospital.  She is certified through The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology.  

She actively monitors the hospital to provide a safe and infection free environment for patients, visitors and staff.  “I believe Jackson County Memorial Hospital works very hard to provide a safe and infection free service to the patients we serve in Southwest Oklahoma and North Texas.  Hospital leadership and staff members strive to achieve a Zero Tolerance for infection,” said Butler.

Intensive Care Unit patients are tested for MRSA as well as patients undergoing a total joint replacement to prevent surgical infections. Ongoing activities of awareness and prevention have resulted in a very low infection rate, less than 1%.

Increased awareness and community education has assisted the prevention program as well.  More patients and families actively participate in hand-hygiene and are aware of the hospital’s efforts in infection prevention.

For the last 22 months, JCMH has reported hospital quality data to the National Health Safety Network, a requirement for the quality improvement program. Since 2008 JCMH has engaged in a collaborative program through the OFMQ to reduce incidents of MRSA. 

Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAI) include surgical site infections, central line-associated blood stream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and catheter-associated urinary tract infection.  These, in addition to MRSA, are known infection risks to healthcare patients. 

For over three years, JCMH has maintained a zero percentage rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia.  Specific interventions for the use of ventilators were put into practice at the beginning of the improvement program.

“Our goal is to continuously improve the quality of care we provide to our patients, stated Bolding.  “Hospital staff is clearly focused on delivering excellent care and customer service.”

JCMH participates in quality programs established by the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services to decrease the incidents of infection.  The Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality (OFMQ) is the Quality Improvement Organization for hospitals in Oklahoma of which JCMH is a member and active participant.