Los Alamitos, CA (March 2011) – In its first year, Tenet Healthcare Corporation’s Clinical Innovation Award sought to recognize four outstanding teams for their achievements in clinical innovation. Based on the company’s tri-fold mission of safety, quality and service, each of its 49 hospitals was charged with submitting a nomination that highlighted a clinical effort or initiative that enhanced patient care.

As one of the winning teams recognized during the company’s annual Quality Summit in Dallas, Texas, Los Alamitos Medical Center received $10,000 to invest in clinical training and a local recognition event. The team, comprised of Barbara Ailor, Maureen Kochen, Dr. Sabira Tejani, and Linda Norris, received the award for their clinical effort, Hospital Pain Management: Identifying System Failures and Demystifying Pain Control. This project explored safety issues related to pain management in hospitalized adult patients in order to construct a safe, effective, and well-reasoned approach to pain control.

"It was an honor to recognize this team as an inaugural Clinical Innovation Award winner," said Kelvin A. Baggett, Tenet Healthcare’s chief medical officer. "Their tireless devotion to enhancing care helps ensure that our patients continue to receive safe, effective and compassionate care."

Criteria of the award required that the innovation should demonstrate a significant improvement with quantifiable results sustained over a minimum of three quarters; it must be a unique and remarkable advancement in clinical care or service; and it must be replicable. The selection committee was comprised of Tenet’s regional chief medical officers, vice president of quality management, vice president of patient care services and members of Tenet’s senior management team.