Taking the Lead to Improve Quality

For 50 years, Highline has been known for convenient, compassionate care. Now it is being recognized for something more: it's role as a regional and national leader in improving healthcare quality. Teams of dedicated doctors, nurses and technicians are all working together on a variety of initiatives designed to improve outcomes. And as the state's first affiliate of the prestigious Planetree organization, we are also at the forefront of efforts to improve the patient experience.

Quality Awards and Recognition

2010 Outstanding Achievement Award for Highline Cancer Center. Highline Medical Center’s Cancer Care Program received the 2010 Outstanding Achievement Award from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC). This award recognizes excellence in providing quality care to patients. The CoC Outstanding Achievement Award is granted to facilities that demonstrate a commendation level of compliance in six areas of cancer program activity: cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical management, research, community outreach, and quality improvement. Compliance is determined during an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor. CoC surveyors were impressed with how Highline provides care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Highline’s cancer program is the only program in Washington to receive this award in 2010.

2010 Five-Star Rating for Joint Replacement and Excellence in Orthopedics from Healthgrades. The orthopedics program at Highline received a five-star rating for quality in joint replacement surgery and excellence in orthopedics from HealthGrades, an independent ratings organization. HealthGrades analyzed three years of quality data from the nation’s 5,000 hospitals — more than 40 million patient records. Hospitals were given ratings of one, three or five stars. Five-star rated hospitals had significantly lower complication rates and higher quality. It isn’t the first time the orthopedics program at Highline has received national recognition. In 2007, Highline was the only hospital in the Puget Sound region to earn the national Premier Award for Quality in hip and knee replacement. Highline’s commitment to quality has been recognized in other areas, too, by a variety of awards over the past several years.

2010 Hand Hygiene Award.  Highline Medical Center has received the "Best Hands on Care" award from the Washington State Hospital Association for outstanding hand hygiene practices. The Washington State Hospital Association’s Hand Hygiene Program began in 2005. It was the first statewide effort in the nation to bring hospitals together to collaboratively share strategies for improving hand hygiene.The award is given to hospitals that average 100% compliance for three consecutive months in either ICU or non-ICU areas and pass validation by a secret shopper visit to win. The results are tabulated using an evidence-based system of measuring soap and sanitizer usage and comparing usage rates to the number of patients in the hospital.

2008 Washington State Quality Award. In May 2008, the Governor's office presented the Washington State Quality Award, for achievement based on the nationally recognized Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. Highline Medical Center was one of only seven award recipients and the only healthcare organization recognized. Highline was honored for its strategic planning process and for its efforts in implementing the Planetree philosophy of Patient-Centered care.

2008 American Heart Associations Silver Performance Award for 12 months of consecutive Quality Care. The American Heart Association recognized Highline Medical Center for its performance in its Get With The Guideline's Program. Highline received the AHA award for implementing the latest evidence-based guidelines in the treatment of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and was among hospitals nationwide featured in an ad for the program in US News and World Report.

2007 Premier Award for Quality. Highline Medical Center was one of only six hospitals nationwide to earn the coveted Premier Award for Quality in Hip and Knee replacement for 2007. Premier is a national alliance of more than 1700 non-profit hospitals and health systems that tracks hospital performance metrics. Highline Medical Center was recognized as a national leader for its high clinical quality, low complication rates and cost-effective use of resources. To learn more, click here.

Quality Measurement

Hospital Compare. In May 2008 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ran ads nationwide featuring hospital performance on two key quality measures. Highline ranked first in the state for its performance on one measure: the percentage of patients at each hospital who were given antibiotics one hour prior to surgery. To see more about other measures, visit the USHHS Hospital Compare website.

Washington State Hospital Quality Measures. The Washington State Hospital Association also offers a quality reporting website, that compares hospitals across than 35 measures in five different categories. To learn more, visit www.wahospitalquality.org/.