Health care events 2013

[eridani]

7. Improving Health Care Quality While Reducing Costs - A Paradigm Shift; Bellingham 3/16

Improving Health Care Quality While Reducing Costs - A Paradigm Shift is the topic of a public meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 16 in the downstairs conference room of the Bellingham Public Library. Refreshments will be available starting 9:30 a.m.

Hosted by the League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County, it features three accredited professionals: author Naida Grunden, Dr. Jeremy Blanchard and Dr. David Lynch.

“The new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act calls for changes in the way we deliver healthcare by creating incentives to encourage hospitals and doctors to compete on quality and find ways to provide the best care at reduced costs” said Sheri Lambert, Co-chair of the League event. “Our three local experts on healthcare quality will share how we can achieve both quality and cost control as we implement changes in our health care delivery.”

• Naida Grunden, award-winning author of The Pittsburgh Way to Efficient Healthcare, and co-author of Lean-Led Hospital Design, will introduce the lean concept as applied to healthcare, and illustrate with real case studies.

• Dr. Jeremy Blanchard, Vice-President of Quality and Medical Affairs, Peace Health St. Joseph's Hospital, will discuss quality improvement methods, including recent national accolades for reducing readmissions.

• Dr. David Lynch, Vice President for Clinical Process Improvement and Business Development for Family Health Network, will highlight the quality revolution in physician office practices across our region.

In addition a short video will be shown from the PBS NewsHour, Rooting Out Waste in Health Care by Taking a Cue From Toyota Assembly Lines which is about the use of lean practices at Seattle’s award winning Virginia Mason Hospital.

Founded in 1920, the League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization with 800 affiliates across the country. It encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership is open to men and women of all ages.