OU Medicine Named Age-Friendly Health System

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement recently named OU Medicine as an Age-Friendly Health System – Committed to Care Excellence. The designation recognizes OU Medicine as a leader in the rapidly growing movement committed to the care of older adults.

An age-friendly health system is one in which every older adult’s care:

* Is guided by an essential set of age-friendly, evidence-based practices across the “4Ms” – what Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility.
* Causes no harm.
* Is consistent with what matters to older adults and their families.

The model focuses on improved safety, improved outcomes, increased patient and family engagement, reduced length of hospitalization and avoiding readmissions of older adults.

Achieving the Age-Friendly Health System designation was a months-long process - a united effort of the University of Oklahoma Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing and OU Medicine, with the initiative drawing heavily upon the wealth of expertise available at the college. Teri Round, M.S., BSN, R.N., NE-BC, executive director, Clinical Operations with the college, said Age-Friendly recognition was a joint effort from the start, involving leaders within the college and OU Medicine.

“We’re proud to be in collaboration with the first health system in Oklahoma to receive recognition in this nationwide initiative,” said Round. “Working with the hospital on many levels, it’s especially exciting as we prepare for next year’s opening of OU Medicine’s new patient tower.”

“As the nation faces unprecedented growth of an aging population, OU Medicine’s commitment to patient safety and excellent care is unwavering,” said Cathy Pierce, M.S., RNC, CENP, chief nurse executive, OU Medicine. “The care of older adults often presents unique demands; their needs may be quite complex. We are especially proud of this recognition and grateful for the opportunities we have to improve health and quality of life for mature adults who face health challenges.”

Currently, there are more than 46 million Americans age 65 and older, and the number is expected to double by 2060. Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States. The goal of the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative is to rapidly spread the 4Ms framework to 20 percent of the nation’s hospitals and medical practices by 2020.