National spotlight shines bright on Medical Center

In addition to being named to U.S. News & World Report’s “honor roll” of the nation’s best hospitals, Vanderbilt Medical Center’s ongoing efforts to improve quality of care and patient safety were featured in the magazine’s annual “America’s Best Hospitals” issue, published in July 2008.

The 12-page article, told in a time-stamp format, is titled “America’s Best Hospitals — Vanderbilt’s special mix of skill, passion, and Southern comfort hits all the right notes in Nashville,” and kicks off with a two-page photo of LifeFlight offloading a patient.

What follows is an account of some of the events that happened the week of June 9-14, 2008, as witnessed by U.S. News staff writers Sarah Baldauf and Lindsay Lyon and photographer Jim Lo Scalzo during their six-day visit.

The article’s content was shaped in part from a lengthy menu of suggestions that were received and compiled in response to an e-mail sent by Harry Jacobson, M.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs, prior to the U.S. News team’s pending visit. More than 200 suggestions from people at all levels throughout the organization who wanted to show their work were received and then carefully reviewed.

In part from these suggestions, a 14-page list of story suggestions was created and used by News and Public Affairs personnel as they showed the reporters numerous programs, initiatives and protocols.

“One of the more gratifying aspects of this project with U.S. News was receiving these e-mail suggestions from people throughout the Medical Center,” Jacobson said.

“From these e-mails it is readily apparent our workforce is proud of what we do, and they really understand how their role within the organization serves a common goal. I want to thank everyone who offered their input and assistance with this project.” VM
-JOHN HOWSER