Baptist Health, a not-for-profit health system in Kentucky, has become the first participant in the I-PASS Kentucky Hospital Association Transitions and Communication in Hospitals (KHATCH) Program.

I-PASS helps reduce medical errors by enhancing the transfer of clinical information during handoffs between healthcare professionals.

The programme, with a duration of eight years, facilitates the adoption of the I-PASS methodology and solutions across the Kentucky Hospital Association's member network without individual financial burden.

Baptist Health's eight hospitals will implement the I-PASS bundle, including coaching, consultation, and technological tools to enhance verbal and written handoffs.

Besides, they will use a digital tool called I-PASS eVIEW, which connects with electronic health records.

This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) and I-PASS to establish a universal language for transitions and elevate care quality in the state.

KHA has over 128 hospitals and clinics, and health centres as members.

The I-PASS KHATCH claims to positively affect the safety, and workforce measures for KHA members amid post-pandemic challenges such as workforce shortages and communication breakdowns.

I-PASS client engagement vice president Marshall Burkhart said: “Starting the I-PASS KHATCH Program at Baptist Health is the first of many milestones with the Kentucky Hospital Association and its members.

“We are united in our shared commitment to drive performance in safety, quality, patient experience, and reduce medical malpractice costs for the association’s members throughout the Commonwealth.

“Together, we’re building a playbook for hospital associations across the country to follow and invite them to join us in taking bold steps on the path to transform patient safety and elevate the national standard of care.”

KHA clinical strategy and transformation vice president Deborah Campbell said: “The Kentucky Hospital Association is committed to nimbly adapting to evolving challenges and helping our members plan for the future.

“The I-PASS KHATCH Program puts these core values into practice.

“Our members need modern solutions that can help mitigate the complex financial, operational, and workforce challenges they’re facing.

“KHA leadership knows that improved patient communication can have a positive downstream impact on provider workflow and teamwork while also reducing the financial burden of medical malpractice.

“We’re excited to fund this partnership and extend I-PASS’s clinically validated services to our members in the Commonwealth.”