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Lake Oswego, Ore.—Feb. 20, 2008—The Board of Trustees of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS), a statewide, nonprofit trade association that works to sustain and enhance Oregon’s innovative health care industry, unanimously adopted a uniform set of guidelines, in the form of a resolution, to ensure that no patient (or payer) will pay for hospital care related to an adverse event.
“It is our intent, as a statewide association, for our member hospitals to have uniform guidelines in place that promote the highest quality, most cost effective health care. This resolution establishes those uniform guidelines regarding payment for serious adverse events. This has been a proactive initiative that originated from our Board of Trustees and is aligned with our strategic-vision to be a change-agent for patient safety, hospital accountability and transparency,” stated Andy Davidson, president and CEO of OAHHS.
The Board resolution states that all 57 Oregon hospitals agree not to seek payment for costs associated with the occurrence of a serious, but uncommon, adverse event if an investigation by the hospital determines that the event was preventable and was in the control of the hospital. A list of qualifying adverse events, adapted from the list published by the Oregon Patient Safety Commission, is included with the guidelines.
“With these guidelines widely adopted, our patients are the real winners. One of our paramount objectives in health care is to provide our patients with a consistent health care experience — an experience that is safe and with their best interest in the minds of our medical, nursing and support staff. We are proud to implement these guidelines within our own health system and further build on the accountability and transparency initiatives we have set out to achieve as a statewide association of health care leaders,” stated Norm Gruber, chair of OAHHS’ Board of Trustees and CEO of Salem Health.
About the OAHHS: Founded in 1934, the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) is a statewide, nonprofit trade association that works closely with local and national government leaders, business and citizen coalitions, and other professional health care organizations to enhance and promote community health and to continue improving Oregon’s innovative health care industry.
In addition to 57 acute care hospitals, OAHHS membership includes 10 health systems and related health plans, 16 affiliated allied organizations and 32 associate members representing health care consulting and other service companies. More information can be found online at www.oahhs.org
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