(Boston) — The Cardinal Health Foundation announced it has awarded Virginia R. Litle, MD, a Thoracic Surgeon at Boston Medical Center (BMC) grant funding from the E3 Grant Program to implement best practices and help improve the effectiveness, efficiency and excellence of patient care.
The funding will be used to study the efficacy of a Caprini Risk Assessment Model to reduce venothromboembolic (VTE) complications after thoracic surgery and to implement an efficient and low-cost anticoagulation compliance protocol after patient discharge. This is an initiative within the thoracic surgery division at BMC to reduce the incidence of post-operative VTE events across the continuum of care in an at-risk population. VTE is among the most common preventable and potentially fatal postoperative complications in all surgical patients. Litle also is Associate Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM). Surgical resident Krista Hachey, MD, and BUSM student Philip Hewes will be part-time research assistants.
The Cardinal Health E3 Grant Program awarded funding to health care providers in 22 states. Since the inception of the E3 Grant Program, the Cardinal Health Foundation has awarded more than $7 million in funding to 249 hospitals, health systems or other health-related organizations across the country.
This year's E3 Grant Program called for proposals that addressed one of three areas: projects that will improve medication safety, particularly as patients move from hospital environments to the home and other health care settings; projects that, in partnership with the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), improve operating room safety and test a protocol for assessing risk and implementing changes in the operating room to reduce pressure ulcers during surgery; or projects that result in the implementation of best practices in the care of babies born addicted to opiates.
After six years of providing support to health care providers, we are so pleased to continue offering these grants to organizations that are working to implement best practices and improve the effectiveness, excellence and efficiency of patient care," said Dianne Radigan, vice president of Community Relations. "Cardinal Health has a vested interest in helping health care providers save days, dollars and lives by working collaboratively to improve the quality of care nationwide. We congratulate Boston Medical Center for their work to achieve meaningful, long-term improvements."
About the Cardinal Health Foundation
The Cardinal Health Foundation supports local, national and international programs that improve health care quality and build healthy communities. The Cardinal Health Foundation also offers grants to encourage employee service to the community and works through international agencies to donate much-needed medical supplies and funding to those who need them in times of disaster. To learn more, visit cardinalhealth.com/community.
About Boston Medical Center
Boston Medical Center is a private, not-for-profit, 496-bed, academic medical center that is the primary teaching affiliate of Boston University School of Medicine. It is the largest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in New England. Committed to providing high-quality health care to all, the hospital offers a full spectrum of pediatric and adult care services including primary and family medicine and advanced specialty care with an emphasis on community-based care. Boston Medical Center offers specialized care for complex health problems and is a leading research institution. Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine are partners in the Boston HealthNet – 15 community health centers focused on providing exceptional health care to residents of Boston. For more information, please visit http://www.bmc.org