Reports: Quality and outcome indicators

Our passion for finding new and better approaches to patient care drives us to conduct clinical research and to measure the impact of our services. These activities help ensure that new advances in treatment benefit patients as quickly as possible, and support a dynamic environment for medical and nursing education.

In 2007, Abbott Northwestern established an Outcomes Institute through which physicians, nurses and other staff publish quality and outcome indicators. In 2008, the Institute began producing outcome reports for Abbott Northwestern's Centers of Excellence and Nursing Department.

2008 Joint Replacement Center outcome report

Since opening in September 2008, Abbott Northwestern Hospital’s Joint Replacement Center has improved the quality of life for hundreds of patients who were living with joint pain.

• Partnerships with expert anesthesiologists, the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute and the Penny George Institute for Health & Healing allow the Joint Replacement Center to keep patients’ pain to a minimum and reduce the time it takes to get them back to their daily activities.
• The Joint Replacement Center is a part of Abbott Northwestern’s Orthopaedic Institute, which has been rated as one of America’s Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report since 2005.
• Compared with other patients who have the same procedures, Joint Replacement Center patients go home sooner and are more likely to go home for further healing and rehabilitation than to a nursing home.

Full report (published November 2009)

More about the Joint Replacement Center...

2008 Neuroscience Institute outcome report

Abbott Northwestern Hospital's Neuroscience Institute combines skilled physicians, experienced staff, advanced technology and focused programs to provide a comprehensive resource for the care of all neurological conditions. Highlights from the Neuroscience Institute's 2008 report include:

• Neurosurgeons at Abbott Northwestern perform more than 2,000 brain and spine surgeries each year, more than any other hospital in the Twin Cities.
• U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Abbott Northwestern as one of the nation’s Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery, based on the complex cases it treats and the results it achieves.
• Abbott Northwestern has one of the oldest and most comprehensive stroke programs in the region and repeatedly earns recognition for quality of care, including The Joint Commission's Certificate of Distinction as a Primary Stroke Center. The program is further strengthened by its partnership with Sister KennyŽ Rehabilitation Institute, the region’s leading provider of services to restore neurological function.

Full report (published 2009)

More about the Neuroscience Institute...

2008 Nursing Department outcome report

The strength and reputation of Abbott Northwestern's Nursing Department is evidenced in the more than 365 nurses who have been with the organization for more than 25 years. Highlights from the Nursing Department's 2008 report include:

• In 2007, Abbott Northwestern met or exceeded the goal of 85 percent optimal care for the core measures of heart failure, pneumonia and acute myocardial infection.
• Innovations such as hourly rounding, focused analysis of patient flow, and an Evidence-Based Fellowship Program were introduced to further advance nursing practice.
• The Nursing Department's Relationship-based Care Model is grounded in mutually respectful and collaborative relationships that are established with patients and their families, physicians and other members of the health care team to enhance care and assist those we serve.

Full report (published July 2008)

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2008 Penny George Institute for Health and Healing outcome report

Each month, the George Institute's team of integrative health professionals provides enhanced care through more than 1,500 inpatient visits and 700 outpatient visits. Highlights from the the George Institute's 2008 report include:

• The George Institute is the nation’s largest hospital-based integrative medicine program.
• The George Institute’s clinical services include inpatient programs, an Outpatient Clinic and the Live Well Fitness Center. In addition, the George Institute’s Research Center opened in 2008 to conduct world-class integrative medicine research.
• Six teams of integrative medicine professionals care for patients across Abbott Northwestern’s Centers of Excellence. More than 600 physicians on the hospital’s Medical Staff refer patients for integrative medicine consults and services as part of their care plan.

Full report (published May 2008)

More about the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing...

2008 Virginia Piper Cancer Institute outcome report

At the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute, physicians, nurses and allied health care providers offer each patient comprehensive care in a compassionate setting. Highlights from the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute's 2008 report include:

• U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Abbott Northwestern as one of the nation’s Best Hospitals for cancer care.
• The Virginia Piper Cancer Institute is a Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center for Complex and Rare Cancers, focusing on complex inpatient and surgical care. This complex and rare cancer designation was given to only 85 hospitals nationally.
• Eight organ-focused programs use a care model focused on multidisciplinary specialized care. Members from all relevant care and support specialties meet on a regular basis to review the care of new and existing patients. Each team is lead by a medical director and nurse coordinator, and is composed of specialists from a wide variety of fields who work together to facilitate the diagnostic process, to consider all available therapeutic options, establish a care plan and monitor progress.

Full report (published March 2009)

More about the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute...

The Outcomes Institute

The Outcomes Institute and its reports are supported by funding from the Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation. The commitment of the Foundation and Abbott Northwestern's generous donors to improving patient care through these efforts is greatly appreciated.