With healthcare reform a major issue in the U.S., Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver and Centura Health already are taking measures that could play significant roles in the process.

Nursing and evidence-based practice likely will be at the forefront of any type of reform, says Sharon Pappas, RN, PhD, NEA, CNO for Porter Adventist and chief nurse executive for Centura Health, which manages a joint operating agreement between Adventist Health System and Catholic Health Initiatives. The topic is regularly being discussed among members of the Porter Adventist Nursing Practice Council, Pappas says.

“We believe that nursing excellence is a pretty key part of healthcare reform quality and safety,” she says. “We have nurses who are very committed to using the best evidence and evidence-based practice. It says that nurses have their eye on the ball for achieving excellent clinical outcomes for their patients.”

In December, Centura completed a systemwide program to evaluate its facilities’ practices of assessing patient risk for falls and implementing practices for fall prevention. The health system also reconfigured its electronic medical records documentation to create a close tie between patient risk and intervention.

When it comes to healthcare reform, Pappas says, achieving good clinical outcomes helps to keep costs down.

“We’re really excited to create this clear pathway in nursing practice and the goals of healthcare reform,” she says. “We have a pretty strong philosophy that nursing is pivotal in the financial and clinical success of a hospital.”