Surgical care improvement is a core measure from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Based on the guidelines of the JCAHO, we have implemented a number of programs and practices aimed at reducing treatment errors and infection:

Computerized medical record system– to give providers at-the-bedside electronic access to information about a patient's condition, medications and treatment plan

Bar-coded medication verification system– to reduce errors in medication type and dosage and adverse drug events

Hand hygiene campaign– Employees at Vanderbilt Medical Center are committed to a stringent regimen of hand hygiene, and VMC has emphasized the importance of this initiative.

Information campaign– to educate patients and their families about routine safety checks related to tests, medications and surgeries