Robson B, Hamnett P. Changing systems, changing minds: Improving health care with IT. Healthcare Executive. 2009 Nov/Dec;24(6):72-74.

Is your organization embracing health information technology (HIT) as a driver of improvement? This article describes the role of health care leaders in supporting the use of HIT to improve the care system, and suggests a collaborative approach for bringing the worlds of HIT and improvement together to identify, share and spread best practices.

Bisognano M. Engaging the CFO in quality: Why it's a must and how to make it happen. Healthcare Executive. 2009 Sept/Oct;24(5):76-78.

The most effective organizations, in terms of both quality and financial results, are led by senior teams who understand the linkages between cost and quality, and they manage both as integrated goals. This article discusses the critical role of the hospital chief financial officer in safety and quality improvement efforts, and provides best practices and examples of health systems who are already demonstrating this type of leadership.

Reinertsen JL, Conway J, Orlikoff JE. Safety in a recession? Trustee. 2009 Jun;62(6):28-29.

In the current US economic climate, both patients and hospitals alike are looking for ways to reduce costs, including cutting staff expenses and reducing or eliminating services. So, will the substantial improvements in safety over the last five to seven years become a casualty of the recession? The authors have suggestions for how boards can make sure their hospitals don’t backslide on safety during these challenging times.

Adams KT. Rethinking comparative effectiveness research: An interview with Dr. Donald Berwick. Biotechnology Healthcare. 2009 Jun:35-38.

Opponents to the new comparative effectiveness research (CER) legislation in the US are warning about a one-size-fits-all treatment approach and rationing of health care. In this interview, IHI's Don Berwick talks about the value of CER in helping doctors avoid ineffective or more costly approaches that might not work, and whether CER will help control health care costs in the US.

Kabcenell A, Gunther-Murphy C. IHI's Improvement Map: A new concept to help hospitals achieve better patient outcomes. Healthcare Executive. 2009 Jul/Aug;24(4):60-63.

What if hospital leaders had a streamlined way to chart an improvement path for their organizations, as well as a list of key processes that could, if implemented reliably, lower mortality, reduce harm, lessen delays, create a better patient experience and lower costs? This article describes the IHI Improvement Map — an interactive tool that offers hospitals the best knowledge available on processes that lead to excellent patient care, and a way for them to design a customized path to achieve meaningful results.

Denham CR. Is your hospital as safe as your bank? Time to ask your board. Journal of Patient Safety. 2009 Jun;5(2):122-126.

There are striking similarities between the global financial collapse and the patient safety crisis in health care. In both cases, good leadership by governance boards is critical, and managing risk and building trust are essential. The author suggests that health care should learn from the lessons of banking leaders, starting with the board.

Fisher ES, Berwick DM, Davis K. Achieving health care reform: How physicians can help. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009 Jun 11;360(24):2495-2497.

Two threats in particular put reform at risk: conflicting doctrines (regarding the creation of a new public insurance option and government support for comparative-effectiveness studies) and opposition to change among some current stakeholders. The authors suggest that physicians should help create a shared vision that could overcome doctrinal divides — and bring providers together to create a system better aligned both with public needs and with providers' fundamental interests and values.

American College of Healthcare Executives. Professional Policy Statement: The Healthcare Executive’s Role in Ensuring Quality and Patient Safety. November 10, 2008.

The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) has issued a professional policy statement that describes key components of a patient safety and quality strategy that ACHE believes all health care executives must lead as part of a comprehensive approach. Improving patient safety and quality involves leadership by the board and CEO based on an executable strategy cascading throughout the organization. The leadership actions recommended by ACHE in this policy statement represent core building blocks for such a strategy.

Transforming environmental stewardship in healthcare. LaCrosse, Wisconsin: Gundersen Lutheran Health System; October 2008.

Health care systems across the US are looking for innovative ways to save on energy costs. Gundersen Lutheran Health System’s energy plan, called Envision, is a model for health care providers. Learn about their portfolio of innovative energy projects designed to lower costs and lead the industry in environmental stewardship.

Covering Health Issues (5th Edition). Washington, DC: The Alliance for Health Reform; 2009.

Although designed with reporters in mind, this publication may be useful to anyone looking for concise, balanced information about the hottest health policy topics. Each chapter focuses on a different topic and offers fast facts, background information, likely policy debates, tips and story ideas for reporters, experts (with contact information), and helpful websites. Topics include: health reform, health care costs, health care quality, employer-sponsored coverage, individual coverage, children's coverage, Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care, disparities, public health, and mental health.