profession
Michigan trauma centers launch quality project
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 7, 2011
A new statewide initiative in Michigan aims to measure and improve the quality and safety of trauma care. Twenty-two trauma centers in the state are partnering with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network and the American College of Surgeons to create an infrastructure that will allow participating hospitals to measure their performance, identify best practices and share data with one another.
Officials involved with the effort, announced in February, said trauma care quality varies widely. Nationwide, traumatic injuries account for 37 million emergency department visits and 2.6 million hospital admissions annually, racking up $80 billion in medical costs, according to figures released by the Michigan Blues plan.
The effort, called the Michigan Trauma Quality Improvement Program, is being coordinated by the University of Michigan Health System. More than 100 trauma centers participate in a national quality improvement program run by the American College of Surgeons.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/03/07/prbf0307.htm.
