June 04, 2010 01:16am EST 

A goal of the highest possible level of quality healthcare delivery is not easy.  Fortunately, the North Carolina Hospital Association is up to the task.  The NCHA is a statewide trade association that represents 135 hospitals and health networks in the state of North Carolina.  Promoting improved community health status and delivery of quality healthcare through leadership, information, education, and advocacy in their members’ interests, the NCHA stands as the definitive advocate and supporter for health systems in the state of North Carolina.
In their effort to lead North Carolina hospitals to become the safest and highest quality hospitals in the United States, the NCHA created the North Carolina Center for Hospital Quality and Patient Safety (NC Quality Center).  Since 2004, the NC quality Center has promoted a fair and just patient safety culture, optimization of teamwork and communication among healthcare professionals, ensuring evidence based care processes through reliable systems design and gaining knowledge through organizational learning.  Since it’s creation, the NC Quality Center has supported almost every hospital in North Carolina, building its reputation as the leader in the nation with invitations to national presentations and participation in national demonstration projects.  Since December 10, 2008, the NC Quality Center became North Carolina’s first federal Patient Safety Organization (PSO) as certified by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

You can reach the North Carolina Center for Hospital Quality and Patient Safety by logging on to the NCHA website for more information.