Providence Health & Services, Southern California’s five hospitals are members of Patient Safety First, a California health partnership with regional hospital associations across the state, the National Health Foundation and Anthem Blue Cross aiming to improve patient safety in order to save lives and lessen unnecessary medical costs.

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Patient Safety First (PSF) avoided 3,576 deaths and more than $63 million in hospital costs from 2010-12, officials said. For more information on Patient Safety First, click here.

This data was calculated by comparing all population data from 2012 to baseline data from the same hospitals in 2009.

PSF’s a mission is to improve quality and reduce healthcare costs statewide.

“This program will not only help hospital patients return home to enjoy another day with their families, but will also help moderate the rate at which health care costs are rising,” said Pam Kehaly, president of Anthem Blue Cross.

Since 2010, PSF member hospitals have significantly improved four hospital-based avoidable harm initiatives: sepsis mortality, ventilator associated pneumonia, central line bloodstream infections and perinatal gestational age deliveries under 39 weeks.

With more than 180 hospitals participating, PSF is the largest statewide collaborative effort focused on patient safety in the country.

Patient Safety first is unique in bringing together a health plan, hospital associations, a non-profit  organization and private and public hospitals as partners in an effort to improve care, health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

All five of Providence Southern California’s award-winning hospitals are participants of the PSF partnership. With more than 3,400 physicians, Providence provides coordinated primary and specialty care through many different providers, including Providence Medical Institute and physician groups in the South Bay, the West Valley and Santa Clarita.

“Providence is dedicated to continuously improving upon safety, affordability and accessibility to quality and compassionate health care,” said Michael Hunn, senior vice president and regional chief executive of Providence Southern California. “We’re honored to be recognized among the many fine hospitals in California for striving to provide the best possible patient experience.”

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