Health and Technology
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Key Facts
Fact: 98,000 patients die every year from medical errors or injuries in hospitals.
Two million more acquire infections, which can add nine more days – and $14,000 in treatment costs – in hospital stays.
And even those who avoid harm may not be getting the full battery of tests and treatments they should, according to a Rand study. Meanwhile, new medical technologies flood the market without always meeting the right testing standards for safety.
To help save lives, time and money, Blue Shield of California Foundation’s Health and Technology program is working to:
- Reduce medical errors by funding life-saving interventions
- Promote best practices throughout the healthcare system
- Foster an evidence-based approach to new medical technologies
- Spearhead information technology that improves health care quality and access
The Foundation’s work includes direct support to projects and organizations working to protect patients by improving the quality and safety of their care, as well as funds for innovative programs and initiatives.
Grants awarded in 2007: 38
Totaling: $8,146,251
Some specific examples of our work include:
California Technology Assessment Forum
We spearhead this unique public forum for medical professionals to review and make recommendations on the safety and effectiveness of new technologies – from the latest in artificial disc replacements to prostate treatments to digital mammography.
National Leadership
Our grant to the Institute of Medicine’s new Roundtable on Evidence-Based Medicine will support a neutral venue for healthcare stakeholders to identify and discuss approaches for timely, new information to use for clinical and policy decisions.
Improving Care, Protecting Patients
We provided grants to 38 California public and rural hospitals, which disproportionately serve underserved populations, by taking part in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s "5 Million Lives Campaign," an initiative which trains health providers to adopt interventions, such as rapid response teams and protocols to prevent infections.
Tracking Success
To reduce hospital-acquired infections, we launched the groundbreaking California Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention Initiative (CHAIPI). In Phase I of the program, nine California hospitals used sophisticated data mining technology to track and detect infection outbreaks early, as well as identify patterns that contribute to the problem. An evaluation of the program’s first 18 months showed impressive results with over 600 infections prevented and an overall reduction of HAIs by 3.2 percent. In Phase II (2008-2009), the Foundation will dramatically expand the program to more than 50 California acute care hospitals, which will receive support for new technology and collaborative learning opportunities about best practices.
Teaming Up for Technology
We’ve joined forces with other funders on multi-year, multi-million dollar initiatives including the following: The California Networks for Electronic Health Record Adoption, a $4.5 million, three-year initiative supporting multi-clinic systems as they develop state-of-the-art electronic records; Tools for Community Clinics, a $3 million, two-year initiative which will apply technology in stages to improve the quality of care in community clinics and build the skills needed for a full Electronic Health Record implementation; and Building Clinic Capacity for Quality in Southern California, Phase II, a $4 million, 18-month initiative that supports community clinics with applied learning sessions, technology implementation coaching, and quality improvement.
Community Clinics and Consortias, Please Note: Effective January 1, 2008, only invited proposals for IT adoption will be accepted for electronic medical records, disease registries and health information exchanges.
For potential grantees, our Health and Technology program does not fund the following:
- Award dinners, athletic events, competitions or special events
- Capital construction
- Television/film/media production
- Religious activities
- Political causes, candidates, organizations or campaigns
- Capital projects over $50,000
- Grants to individuals
