Recognizing the Vital Role of Medical Laboratory Professionals

This week, VPQHC proudly joins healthcare organizations nationwide in celebrating Medical Laboratory Professionals Week—a time to recognize the essential contributions of laboratory professionals to patient care, public health, and the overall quality of our healthcare system.

Although their work often happens behind the scenes, medical laboratory professionals are at the heart of healthcare delivery. From routine blood tests to complex diagnostics, their expertise informs decisions that directly impact patient outcomes and population health.

Did you know? Approximately 70% of clinical decisions are based on laboratory test results. That statistic underscores just how central lab professionals are to ensuring safe, effective, and timely care.

In recognition of the critical role these professionals play, Governor Phil Scott has issued an official state proclamation honoring Medical Laboratory Professionals Week in Vermont. This acknowledgment highlights their impact and raises awareness of the profession’s importance across the state.

Click here to read the full proclamation: https://governor.vermont.gov/sites/scott/files/documents/Medical%20Laboratory%20Professionals%20Week%20%28Proclamation%2025-50%29.pdf

At VPQHC, we recognize and deeply appreciate the dedication, precision, and professionalism of Vermont’s laboratory workforce. Your work supports every corner of our healthcare system—and helps build healthier communities across the state.

Thank you for all you do.

#LabWeek #MedicalLaboratoryProfessionals #VermontHealthcare #HealthcareQuality #PublicHealth

Universal Suicide Screening at Vermont's Northwestern Medical Center: A Model for Systems Change

Systems change doesn’t happen overnight.

It takes persistence.
It takes leadership.
It takes resources, vulnerability, and—above all—collaboration.

At VPQHC, we are proud to recognize the significant work underway at Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) and Northwestern Counseling & Support Services (NCSS), who have partnered to implement a universal suicide screening process in the NMC Emergency Department. This transformative step ensures that every patient age 12 and older is screened for suicide risk—regardless of the reason for their visit.

Historically, suicide risk screening in emergency departments has been limited to patients presenting with mental health complaints. Yet we know that suicide risk is often hidden, and relying solely on visible cues or presenting complaints leads to missed opportunities for intervention.

NMC’s new approach changes that.

Over the first eight weeks of implementation:

• 251 patients were identified as having suicide-related concerns.

• 53 were actively considering suicide.

• 11 individuals disclosed suicidal thoughts despite arriving with primary medical (non-mental-health) complaints.

These data are both sobering and affirming. They confirm what research has long suggested: universal screening saves lives. By integrating universal, evidence-based screening tools into the ED workflow, NMC and NCSS are identifying individuals who may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

This work is part of VPQHC’s Vermont Suicide Prevention in Emergency Departments Quality Improvement Initiative—a multi-year, statewide effort to improve care for individuals experiencing suicidality. The initiative is supported by the Four Pines Fund, the Vermont Department of Health, and The Vermont Community Foundation, and is grounded in national best practices, including the subject matter expertise of Dr. Edwin Boudreaux, whose leadership in suicide care continues to shape tools and training across Vermont.

In addition to identifying risk, the partnership between clinical and crisis response teams has strengthened patient follow-up and continuity of care. As Kevin King, a longtime ED nurse now serving as a crisis clinician with NCSS, shared: “This approach allows us to catch concerns earlier, make more informed decisions, and connect people to the support they need—when they need it most.”

We applaud the leadership at NMC and NCSS for their commitment to this critical work, and for serving as a model of what’s possible when healthcare organizations work together toward a shared goal: preventing suicide and improving care for every patient.

To learn more about the NMC/NCSS collaboration, read the full article:
👉 NMC Collaborates with NCSS to Implement Universal Suicide Screening Process

To learn more about VPQHC’s statewide initiative:
👉 Vermont Suicide Prevention in Emergency Departments QI Initiative

Healthcare Planning That Matters: Vermont Advance Directive Week 2025

As we recognize Vermont Advance Directive Week (April 13-19) and National Healthcare Decisions Day (April 16), we at VPQHC encourage all Vermonters to document their healthcare wishes. Completed advance directives ensure your healthcare providers honor your preferences, even when you cannot speak for yourself.

Why complete an advance directive?

1. Ensures your voice is heard. Document your healthcare preferences and appoint someone you trust to make medical decisions if you're unable to communicate. Without this guidance, decisions may not align with your values and wishes.

2. Reduces burden on loved ones. Making healthcare decisions for a family member during a crisis is emotionally overwhelming. Clear documentation spares your loved ones from guessing your preferences and prevents potential conflict.

Take action today:

• Complete your Advance Directive form: https://vtethicsnetwork.org/forms

• Share copies with your healthcare providers, designated agent, and family

• Register your form with the Vermont Advance Directive Registry

• Discuss your healthcare values with friends and loved ones

Have questions? Your healthcare provider is an excellent resource for discussing advance care planning during your next appointment.

Advance care planning isn't just paperwork – it's a gift ensuring your healthcare wishes will be respected when it matters most. This Vermont Advance Directive Week, take this important step for yourself and those who care about you.

For more information about Vermont Advance Directive Week and available resources, visit the Vermont Ethics Network's website.

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Elevating Patient Safety: A Spotlight on Rutland Regional Medical Center

At VPQHC, we believe healthcare quality starts with patient safety. Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) was recently featured for its ongoing efforts to strengthen patient safety, enhance communication, and build a culture of quality care.

Patient safety isn’t just about policies—it’s about people. At RRMC, initiatives focus on strengthening communication across teams, using real-time data to enhance care decisions, and continuously seeking ways to improve processes. Their approach has not only created safer environments for patients but also empowered staff with the tools and training necessary to deliver high-quality care every day.

These efforts reflect a broader mission we share: ensuring that all patients receive care in settings where safety is the top priority. RRMC’s story serves as a powerful example of what’s possible when healthcare teams work together to put patient safety first.

We’re thrilled to see these initiatives gaining recognition and hope they inspire other hospitals across the state to prioritize safety and quality in new and innovative ways.

Read more about RRMC’s work here: https://www.rutlandherald.com/features/weekend_magazine/health-talk-patient-safety-and-quality-care/article_fa2cabdc-fe83-11ef-8961-0bc4faaccd46.html

Center for Health and Learning & Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care to Lead Suicide Prevention Efforts Across the State

Vermont Establishes First Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention

The Vermont Department of Mental Health has launched the state's inaugural Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, partnering with the Center for Health and Learning (CHL) and the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care (VPQHC). This initiative aims to unify healthcare providers and community partners to enhance suicide prevention efforts. VPQHC will implement the Zero Suicide framework in healthcare settings, providing tools like safety planning and resources for supporting patients experiencing suicidality. CHL will lead community-based initiatives, including the Vermont Suicide Prevention Coalition and expanding trainings such as Umatter®. For more information and resources, visit FacingSuicideVT.com. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/41Ah58I

VPQHC Featured in Pew Report on Suicide Prevention in Healthcare

The Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care (VPQHC) is honored to be featured in a recent report by The Pew Charitable Trusts, highlighting the critical role of quality improvement (QI) interventions in suicide prevention efforts. The report, State Policy Can Improve Suicide Prevention in Health Care Settings, underscores how state-level policy and healthcare initiatives can work together to reduce suicide rates.

The Power of QI Interventions in Suicide Prevention

The Pew report emphasizes how QI interventions in healthcare settings can be instrumental in reducing suicide risks. These interventions include:

• Routine screening and risk assessment to identify individuals at risk earlier.

• Enhanced care coordination between primary care, emergency services, and mental health professionals.

• Follow-up care protocols to ensure ongoing support for patients after crisis intervention.

Research shows that these steps, when implemented consistently, can make a significant difference in preventing suicide. Vermont’s approach—rooted in collaboration and data-driven quality improvement—sets an example for other states looking to enhance their suicide prevention efforts.

Moving Forward

The Pew report reinforces the importance of integrating QI interventions into healthcare policies and practices. We encourage policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to explore The Pew Charitable Trusts’ report and join us in strengthening suicide prevention strategies across Vermont.

🔗 Read the full Pew report here: State Policy Can Improve Suicide Prevention in Health Care Settings.

The Complexity of Quality in Healthcare—Star Ratings and Letter Grades Only Tell Part of the Story

Healthcare has been in the news a lot in Vermont recently, with many conversations about how to balance three key priorities: access, affordability, and quality. Of these, quality is perhaps the least understood—and the hardest to measure. Yet, it is essential. As patients, we naturally want clear answers: Is this hospital safe? Will I receive high-quality care? Tools like hospital star ratings and report cards have emerged to simplify complex healthcare data, offering insights into hospital quality through platforms such as CMS Care Compare and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades. While these tools provide valuable information, to use them effectively, it’s important that Vermonters understand their strengths, limitations, and gaps. Armed with this important information, we can make more informed decisions and improvements within our health care system.

The Allure and Limits of Simplified Ratings

CMS’s Care Compare assigns hospitals a star rating (one to five) based on factors such as safety, clinical outcomes, and patient experience, using standardized data. This system offers advantages, including adjusted data for fair comparisons and broad types of quality measures. However, overall ratings can mask individual strengths and weaknesses, and the ratings primarily reflect care for Medicare patients. Smaller rural hospitals, such as many in Vermont, often have data on certain measures that are not publicly displayed due to low patient volumes. Additionally, data lags can result in ratings that may not accurately reflect current performance.

Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades assign hospitals a letter grade (A through F) based on safety performance, focusing on metrics such as infection prevention and surgical outcomes. This emphasis on safety encourages hospitals to adopt proven safety methods that reduce harm. However, much of Leapfrog's data is self-reported, and in Vermont, where many hospitals may not participate in Leapfrog’s voluntary survey, accurate comparisons are challenging. Only six of the state's fourteen hospitals are included, and Leapfrog's narrow scope limits its representation of broader dimensions of quality. Furthermore, data lags hinder the ability to accurately evaluate current performance.

The Bottom Line

Star ratings and letter grades are useful tools for highlighting healthcare quality and sparking conversations about care. However, we can make more informed healthcare decisions by considering the following:

1. Use Ratings as a Starting Point: Treat star ratings and letter grades as one tool among many. Use them to start discussions about hospital quality, but recognize their limitations, such as missing information about actual outcomes or specific patient demographics.

2. Ask Critical Questions: Reflect on what the ratings measure, how up-to-date the data is, and whether the information meets your unique needs, such as specialized care or proximity to family.

3. Diversify Research: Pair ratings with other resources—talk to healthcare providers, review local feedback, and seek recommendations from trusted sources.

4. Stay Engaged: Provide feedback to support transparency and improvement. Community input is essential for shaping better healthcare systems.

By embracing the complexity of healthcare quality and leveraging multiple tools, we can continue to foster a system rooted in transparency, collaboration, and better care for all.