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Four U.S. hospitals were recognized for their leadership and innovation in quality, safety and commitment to patient care. The 2008 American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize%26reg; was awarded to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Mich., which will receive $75,000. Munson Medical Center, a regional referral hospital serving patients from 24 counties, was selected by a multi-disciplinary committee of health care quality and patient safety experts based on its culture of quality and efforts to achieve the Institute of Medicine's six quality aims for health care. University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers in Ann Arbor was honored as the finalist and will receive $12,500. Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. and Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie, Pa. received Citations of Merit.

The American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize is presented annually to honor leadership and innovation in quality, safety and commitment in patient care. The prize is supported by grants from the McKesson Foundation and McKesson Corporation. The criteria for the 2008 award include the demonstration of an organizational commitment to achieving the Institute of Medicine's six quality aims - safety, patient-centeredness, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness and equity. One goal of the award is to honor organizations that are making progress in quality improvement on all six aims and that offer models that can be replicated by others in the hospital field. Relevant learnings and key elements for achieving progress that have stood out among the current and past honorees include recognizing that organizational leadership is critical, that what is measured is what gets attention and that patient and family involvement is integral to quality improvement.

"Each hospital recognized today has taken a slightly different path in its efforts to improve quality and patient care," said Rich Umbdenstock, AHA President and CEO. "But each has successfully created a new culture - one based on trust, understanding and openness. That culture is absolutely essential in the continuous process of change that is necessary to ensuring that care is always the safest and of the highest quality it can possibly be."

"We're pleased to have the opportunity to recognize and support the important efforts hospitals across the nation are making to improve patient safety," said John H. Hammergren, Chairman and CEO of McKesson Corporation. "We hope the Quest for Quality Prize will help encourage health care institutions to more quickly adopt the Institute of Medicine's six quality aims."

Prize Winner: Munson Medical Center - Traverse City, Mich.

Improving quality of care is central to Munson Medical Center's culture and mission. The 391-bed hospital is dedicated to creating an environment in which all employees - physicians, nurses, technicians, hospital board members and administrators - are engaged in safety and quality improvement.

- A team of caregivers and hospital leaders sets the quality improvement agenda for the entire organization and works to ensure all hospital staff are taking the right steps to follow the plan. When a mistake has been made, or could have been made, the quality improvement team thoroughly examines the incident and shares information with caregivers on how to improve care and avoid such incidents in the future.

- Nurses and physicians play a critical role in improving quality and Munson Medical Center has sought out their expertise in developing patient safety initiatives. While most physicians at Munson have independent practices, the hospital has developed good working relationships with the independent physicians, involving them in all facets of the hospital's quality improvement efforts. The nursing staff is equally engaged and each nursing unit is charged with evaluating and improving nursing care.

- Additionally, Munson Medical Center reached out to its community members for their input when the hospital was in the process of designing several new facilities. A new emergency department and breast health center both reflect community concerns about privacy, timeliness of test results and location. Munson Medical Center has seen patient satisfaction increase, encouraging the hospital and staff to always work to do better for their patients.

Finalist: University of Michigan Health System - Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Center's long-standing commitment to safety and quality improvement is reflected throughout the organization. The academic medical center's entire staff is engaged in the care improvement process due to a culture of safety that pervades the medical center. The organization, which is part of the University of Michigan Health System, is dedicated to providing the highest quality care, training future caregivers and performing innovative research that can lead to medical breakthroughs.