SANTA ANA, CA – Earlier this year, Western Medical Center Santa Ana (WMCSA) was one of only eleven hospitals to earn the “Zero Hero” award for excellence in maternity patient care at the recent Hospital Association of Southern California Patient Safety First conference (HASC PSF). The award was presented to hospitals that maintained a zero rate for early elective deliveries throughout all four quarters of 2013.
Kelly Wopershall, Director of Perinatal Services at Western Medical Center Santa Ana who received the award on behalf of the hospital, underscored the infinite value of Dr. Peter Anzaldo's leadership and support at the start of the project. “Receiving this award and the recognition for the hard work and collaboration between the Obstetricians, and Labor and Delivery nurses is a tremendous testament to our commitment to our patients,” said Wopershall.
Patient Safety First (funded by Anthem Blue Cross) is a Statewide collaborative of approximately 130 hospitals, facilitated by the three Regional CA Hospital Associations and the HASC cohort of 84 hospitals is led by Julia Slininger, VP for Quality and Patient Safety at HASC. “The March of Dimes has been an integral partner in the PSF collaborative these past several years, contributing speakers, literature, posters, and other resources,” said Slininger. Dr. Lawrence Veltman was also a key partner in the statewide success, providing Medical Staff education through in-person talks and webinars.
For phase 1 of the PSF project (2010 - 2012), the statewide Early Elective Delivery rate dropped over 70% among hospitals who submitted data. For this Phase 1 achievement as well as similar achievements in preventing device related hospital acquired infection (HAI) and Sepsis Mortality, the PSF Collaborative won the esteemed Eisenberg award at the NQF Conference on Feb 13th in Washington DC for innovative achievement in Quality and Patient Safety on a National Scale.
For over 110 years, Western Medical Center Santa Ana has delivered innovative and advanced medical care to the Orange County community. Today, with its 282-licensed bed facility, it provides comprehensive healthcare for the entire family. Western Medical Center Santa Ana is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, licensed by the State of California and approved for the acceptance of Medicare patients. The hospital is designated by the County of Orange as a Level II Trauma Center and provides emergency services for more than 20,000 patients per year.
