In the News

Read about how the University of Michigan Health System makes quality and safety a daily priority – and how the work we do has far-reaching effects.

U-M patient safety leader receives national honor: Darrell A. Campbell, Jr., M.D., wins Eisenberg Award for efforts to improve surgical safety in U.S., and make U-M “the safest medical center in America.” (September 19, 2007)

U-M Health System and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan announce Marianne Udow as director for joint venture. The Center for Healthcare Quality & Transformation, which was created as part of the sale of M-CARE, is devoted to improving Michigan's health care. (August 1, 2007)

UMHS demonstrates that improving quality and coordination of care can cut Medicare costs; $3.5 million saved in first year of Medicare Demonstration Project. Project proves that hospitals do not have to reduce the quality of care to cut Medicare costs; UMHS actually added services at no cost to patients or payers. (July 11, 2007)

BCBSM and U-M Health System launch Michigan HealthQuarters, a new organization devoted to improving Michigan’s health care; joint venture created as part of M-CARE sale undertakes U-M employee diabetes quality project as its first effort. (February 19, 2007)

Faster heart-attack care coming to Michigan hospitals: More than 35 hospitals led by University of Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Michigan Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, team up to speed emergency angioplasty and give patients a better chance. (February 2, 2007)

University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers recognized as top performer in the 2006 University HealthSystem Consortium Quality and Accountability Ranking. (October 24, 2006)

Keeping patients from falling through the cracks: U-M/VA medical imaging study shows how it can be done. Automatic system follows up on suspicious scans, acts as “safety net.” (March 22, 2006)

U-M studies find 78 percent of U.S. hospitals don’t require board certification for initial privileging of pediatricians; only 41 percent of health plans use board certification for credentialing. (February 21, 2006)

Study finds room for improvement in angioplasty, and shows what can be done to help cut risks to heart patients: Significant gains made through multi-hospital cooperative effort led by U-M Cardiovascular Center and funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. (February 13, 2006)

U-M’s Brant Fries, Ph.D., chosen to help lead major national study of nursing homes: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ study aims to improve division of resources and quality of care at nursing homes.  (February 9, 2006)

U-M to lead initiative to improve breast cancer treatment in Michigan: One of five major statewide initiatives to improve quality of care. (December 13, 2005)

Fewer heart failure patients die when hospitals make efforts to improve care, study finds; Lower mortality and hospital readmission rates drop when doctors, nurses and patients team up to ensure quality. (November 15, 2005)

Study shows simple hospital reminder system can reduce urinary catheter use, cutting risk of infection – and cost. (July 29, 2005)

U-M Health System is first in world to use new light-based system to check high-risk medications: Pharmacists can verify drug identity and concentration to protect patient safety (July 5, 2005)

Teaming up for patient safety: Hospital-based doctors across Southeast Michigan launch program to project patients from errors.  (April 13, 2005)

Women less likely to get top-quality heart attack care, but quality efforts help both men and women live longer: American College of Cardiology GAP study results show lower mortality when doctors, nurses and patients all review medications and lifestyle changes before patient leaves hospital. (March 9, 2005)

Patient safety measures work at children’s hospitals, study finds, but better kid-specific tools are needed: First study of its kind looks at potentially preventable problems and suggests ways to improve.  (January 5, 2005)

Hospital standards for high-risk surgeries save lives: New quality criteria linked to better outcomes, fewer deaths, U-M study finds. (June 24, 2004)

UMHS earns top scores in Michigan hospital quality report; only hospital in the state that meets all of Michigan Health and Safety Coalition’s guidelines for quality health care. (February 23, 2004)

UMHS study finds surgery safer at teaching hospitals: Higher procedural volumes account for fewer deaths, shorter hospital stays.  (February 18, 2004)

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