What Quality Care Really Means for You
Every October, hospitals across the country take a moment to celebrate National Healthcare Quality Week (this year, October 19-25), a time to recognize the teams working behind the scenes to make sure your care isn’t just good, but exceptional.
At Southwestern Medical Center, quality isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a promise. Every day, we go through our standard protocols, checklists, safety briefings, and interdisciplinary rounds to ensure we are providing safe, quality care. We follow best practices in patient identification, medication administration, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, environmental cleaning, equipment checks, handoff communications, and incident reporting, among other things, to prevent harm and promote healing.
Quality is a continuous improvement journey for our hospital, and thanks to our parent company ScionHealth’s rigorous National Quality Strategy (NQS), we have a clear roadmap for delivering care that’s safe, effective, and centered around you.
What Is the National Quality Strategy?
The NQS is built around six key domains of healthcare quality, originally defined by the Institute of Medicine. These domains guide how we measure success and continuously improve care. Each one includes specific clinical metrics and best practices tied to training, leadership, and patient outcomes.
Here’s how these six domains translate into better care for you:
Effective Care
We focus on treatments that are backed by science and proven to work. That means avoiding unnecessary procedures and making sure every patient gets the right care at the right time. What it looks like at Southwestern Medical Center:
- Sepsis prevention and treatment
- Smart blood utilization
- Lower-than-expected mortality rates
Efficient Care
We work as a team to reduce waste and make the most of every minute and resource, so you get timely, focused care without delays. What it looks like:
- Shorter hospital stays
- Responsible antibiotic use
- Fewer readmissions
Equitable Care
Everyone deserves the chance to live their healthiest life, no matter what their background. We’re committed to identifying and addressing disparities in care. What it looks like:
- Community outreach programs (to address food insecurity or access to care)
- Data-driven equity initiatives
Patient-Centered Care
You’re not just a chart or a diagnosis, you’re a person. We listen to your preferences, involve your family, and make sure your emotional and physical comfort are part of the healing process. What it looks like:
- High patient satisfaction scores
- Bedside shift reports and rounding best practices
- Personalized care plans
Safe Care
Safety isn’t optional – it’s essential. We take a proactive, system-wide approach to prevent harm and create a culture where safety is second nature. What it looks like:
- Fall prevention programs
- Infection control
- Transparent safety event reporting
Timely Care
When you need care, you shouldn’t have to wait. We prioritize speed and accuracy to reduce delays and improve outcomes. What it looks like at Southwestern Medical Center:
- Faster Emergency Department throughput
- Timely wound and skin assessments
- On-time imaging and consultations
Why It Matters
Quality care isn’t just about numbers – it’s about the people who come to us in their time of need. It’s about making sure every patient who walks through our doors feels safe, heard, and cared for. It’s about building trust and delivering results.
During National Healthcare Quality Week, we’re proud to celebrate the nurses, doctors, technicians, and support staff who make that possible every day. And we’re proud to be part of a system that holds us to the highest standards, because you deserve nothing less.
You can find examples of our commitment to quality at SWMConline.com/about/awards-and-accreditations.