NEWS
West Virginia University School of Medicine
West Virginia Healthcare Safety , Quality , and Experience Improvement Research Day Highlights Advancements in Patient Care
The annual West Virginia Healthcare Safety , Quality , and Experience Improvement Research Day was held Tuesday , February 27 , 2024 , at J . W . Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown . More than 80 presenters from across WVU Health Sciences and the WVU Medicine system came together to highlight their efforts to improve patient care and inspire colleagues to implement ideas .
The event is hosted jointly by the West Virginia University School of Medicine Department of Graduate Medical Education and WVU Medicine Quality Outcomes Department .
Organizers say the event aimed to showcase outstanding Healthcare Safety , Quality , and Experience Improvement projects as well as ignite inspiration and stimulate fresh thinking .
“ By fostering shared learning of the latest research , providing a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration , and facilitating networking , we strive to accelerate progress in healthcare ,” said Shardi Udassi , MD , associate chief quality officer for WVU Medicine .
Harold Pincus , MD , professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Healthcare Policy and Management and co-director of the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research at Columbia
University and New York State Psychiatric Institute , served as the keynote speaker . Additional presentations included WVU Medicine leaders Mike Edmond , MD , and Allison Suttle , MD .
Participants viewed more than 70 posters and heard 10 oral presentations on three topics : healthcare safety , quality / performance improvement , and healthcare experience for patients , families , and staff .
First place poster winner : “ A Workshop to Improve Resident Knowledge and Confidence on End-of-Life Care Topics ” – Jane Tuttle , MD , Ambika Ramesh , DO ; Rachel Salyer , PhD ; Michelle Hartzell , DO ; Melissa Roberts , MD ; Hiba Khan , MD ; Sarah Sofka , MD ; Katie Seachrist , MD .
The first-place poster winners created a workshop for incoming interns fresh out of medical school to help them better learn how to navigate difficult conversations with patients . Interns begin with two hypothetical patients with difficult diagnoses and break into small groups to discuss approaching the conversation .
The team spent two years developing the workshop before piloting it with the incoming 2023 intern class .
According to team members , some of the most important skills
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