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A N N U A L R E P O R T
ANTIBOTIC MANAGEMENT
The public health concerns created as a result
of the inappropriate and overuse of antibiotics
are well documented. Through education and
clinical order sets, we are ensuring antibiotic
stewardship in all of our facilities.
BLOOD UTILIZATION
Recent data shows improved survival
and outcomes for patients when a more
conservative approach to blood utilization is
adopted. Many of our hospitals are creating
committees to help monitor and encourage
best clinical practices.
ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD
Healthcare is technology dependent, from
our sophisticated diagnostic and treatment
equipment to the elaborate information
systems that gather, communicate and store
results. For the past several years, we have
been shifting all of these systems to the
Electronic Health Record.
Today, the hCare Clinical Portal allows
physicians and other healthcare providers
to login and access patient data from our
hospital websites – from virtually any location
where there is internet access.
The patient portal will launch in 2014, allowing
patients to access their personal health care
information in much the same way.
FLU SEASON PREPARATION
HCA is a leader in making hospitals safer
for patients and visitors, by providing free
vaccines to staff and requiring vaccinations
of health workers with direct patient contact.
When a vaccine is not possible, the caregiver
must wear a mask.
GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION –
TRAINING FUTURE DOCTORS
Nationally there is a projected shortfall of
130,000 physicians by 2025. While Florida
has increased the number of medical school
graduates, the number of residency slots has
not increased at the same rate. As a result,
graduates are leaving the state to complete
their graduate medical education (GME)
training.
HCA West Florida is responding to this
problem by increasing our number of
residency programs, with two new accredited
GME programs opening in 2014 at Oak Hill
Hospital and Regional Medical Center Bayonet
Point. Hospitals currently sponsoring GME
programs include Largo Medical Center, a
Statutory Teaching Hospital and home to one
of the largest osteopathic teaching program in
the southeast, Northside Hospital and
St. Petersburg General Hospital.
Last year, more than 200 physicians came to
the area to complete their medical education
at our hospital sponsored GME programs.
PATIENT CENTERED CARE
Our hospitals are saving lives, reducing complication rates and eliminating unnecessary costs
through a strong focus on quality and patient safety. We are achieving and exceeding national
clinical goals and benchmarks. These efforts are strongly supported by HCA’s Clinical Services
Group, an industry leader in bringing evidence based medicine to the bedside in community
hospitals nationwide.
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