Quality Care

St. Bernard Hospital strives to provide the most comprehensive health care services to our patients, in an environment supported by a variety of patient safety initiatives designed to promote the ongoing well-being of our clients.

The Joint Commission
St. Bernard Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission. St. Bernard Hospital has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ in the management of patients with heart failure. In comparison with other Joint Commission-accredited facilities nationwide, St. Bernard ranks among the very best in "Heart Failure Care".

In meeting our 2007 National Patient Safety Goals, St. Bernard Hospital has improved the accuracy of patient identification through the implementation of barcode medication verification technology at the patients bedside to assure the right patient,right medication, right dose, improved the effectiveness of communication among caregivers, reduced the risk of health care-associated infections, and encouraged the active involvement of patients and their families in the patient's care as a patient safety strategy. Learn more about the leading-edge equipment and safety measures our health professionals use in Technology.

The Joint Commission, together with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has launched a national "Speak Up" campaign urging patients to take a role in preventing health care errors by becoming active, involved and informed participants on the health care team. St. Bernard Hospital has joined the campaign to promote safety and prevent injury, and the hospital distributes helpful information to our patients in coordination with the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council (MCHC).

Promoting Safety
Emergency Department Management (EDM) is a computerized system for electronic documentation by physicians, nurses and ancillary departments. Included in the system is a computerized patient tracker that is able to follow patients through their ED visit. Nurses obtain information from patients, which is documented in this system and is retained in the electronic medical record (EMR) if they return (e.g. allergies, medications, previous history). Physicians use computerized physician order entry (CPOE) to place orders for medications, diagnostic radiology, lab and other procedures which transmit to other departments to view and carry out.

In late 2007, St. Bernard continues to promote the leap frog patient safety initiatives by launching a patient care module (PCM), allowing physicians to utilize CPOE to place diagnostic orders from both inside and outside the hospital. The technology decreases risks of medication errors. From improved process to information accuracy to better patient interaction, St. Bernard is continually renewing its commitment to Quality Health Care.