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February 09, 2010

American Journal of Medical Quality

Commentary: What Is a World-Class Medical Facility?

By Kenneth W. Kizer, MD, MPH

In an article commenting on the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and a new military community hospital at Fort Belvoir (Virginia), and whether they will achieve the Congressional mandate of being "world class medical facilities," Kizer writes:

"Achieving world-class performance is a commonly stated goal, but one that is uncommonly reached. Achieving world-class performance is very hard, requiring a clear vision, unwavering commitment, perseverance, and consistent performance at the upper limit of what has been demonstrated to be possible.

"Achieving world-class excellence in health care requires doing many things exceptionally well, including applying evidence-based facility design principles; utilizing state-of-the-art processes and the latest advances in the biomedical, informatics, and engineering sciences; using the most appropriate technologies in an easily accessible and safe healing environment; employing the right number of well-trained, competent, and compassionate caregivers who are attuned to patients' and their families' culture, life experience, and individual needs; providing care in the most condition-appropriate setting; and having pragmatic but visionary leadership.

"World-class health care is achieved by going above and beyond compliance with professional, accreditation, and certification standards to bring the best of the art and science of medicine together in a focused effort to meet the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of the patient. World-class health care is achieved when highly skilled professionals work together as practiced teams with precision, passion, and a palpable commitment to excellence within an environment of inquiry and discovery that creates an ambience that inspires trust and communicates confidence. World-class health care is achieved by routinely performing at the theoretical limit of what is possible and consistently and predictably delivering high-quality care and optimal treatment outcomes at a reasonable cost to the patient and society. World-class health care routinely envisions what could be and goes beyond the best known practices to advance the frontiers of knowledge and pioneer improved processes of care so that the extraordinary becomes ordinary and the exceptional routine."

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