UK HealthCare has been accepted into the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Centers of Excellence (COE) Program. The SCCM ICU COE Program recognizes ICUs that demonstrate a commitment to high-quality, patient-centered critical care. The application process evaluates multiple domains, including patient safety, quality improvement, multidisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practice, staff well-being, education and continuous performance improvement. Acceptance reflects both current performance and a commitment to ongoing excellence.
Anna G. Kalema, M.D., Medical Director of the eCAT ICU, Assistant Chief Medical Officer at UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital and associate professor in the division of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine, spearheaded this effort.
“Acceptance into the SCCM ICU Centers of Excellence Program is national recognition of the work being done by our ICU teams every day,” Kalema said. “It acknowledges our commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based critical care and creates a framework for continued growth and improvement. More importantly, it connects us with a community of ICUs across the country that are focused on advancing critical care excellence.”
Participation in the COE program provides UK HealthCare with access to educational resources, best practices, simulation training and opportunities to collaborate with other high-performing ICUs. It also allows the ICU to evaluate their current processes, identify opportunities for improvement and continue building a culture focused on patient safety, quality and teamwork. Ultimately, the goal of participation is to improve outcomes and the experience of patients, families and healthcare professionals.
Acceptance into the COE program is only the beginning. Over the coming months, Kalema’s multidisciplinary team will participate in educational programs, complete SCCM training requirements and prepare for ongoing data collection and performance improvement activities. The ICU team is excited to continue building on the strong foundation that already exists across UK HealthCare’s ICUs.
Reflecting on this achievement, Kalema shared the following:
“This achievement is especially meaningful to me because it represents the dedication of so many people who care deeply about our patients and their families. Caring for critically ill patients is never the work of one person – it takes an entire team. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary physicians, nurses, APPs, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, rehabilitation specialists and members of our Quality and Performance Improvement team who come to work every day committed to making care safer, better and more compassionate.
What makes me most proud is not the recognition itself, but the people behind it. This achievement reflects countless hours spent at the bedside, reviewing outcomes, improving processes, teaching learners and staff, supporting one another and continually asking how we can do better for our patients. We have built a culture that values teamwork, patient safety and continuous improvement, and this recognition is a reflection of that shared commitment.
This honor belongs to the entire ICU team. I am incredibly grateful to work with such dedicated professionals and proud of what we have accomplished together on behalf of the patients and families who place their trust in us during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.”
