Translational Research
The Institute of Medicine (IOM)'s healthcare error reports, recommended redesign principles, mandated healthcare provider preparation, and priority health conditions have challenged hospitals and healthcare facilities to cross the chasm between best practices and actual care provided. Scientific theory and translational research are fundamental to effecting innovative, evidence-based quality improvement.
Translational research strives to ensure that new knowledge and treatment methods reach their intended populations and are correctly implemented. The Einstein-Montefiore Performance Network Group continually works to enhance external recognition and funding of translational research conducted by its physician investigators.
Current Investigations
- Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Patient Care
Montefiore Medical Center is one of ten hospitals with racially and ethnically diverse patient populations participating in the RWJ Foundation's Expecting Success: Excellence in Cardiac Care program to help healthcare systems prioritize racial, ethnic, and language disparities improve the quality of care for heart failure and heart attack patients and develop culturally focused patient care improvement initiatives.
- CHAMPION Pay for Performance Program
The Bronx Community Health and Acute Medical Performance Improvement Organizational Network (CHAMPION) Program, Montefiore Medical Center’s two-year P4P demonstration project funded by the New York State Department of Health. evaluates the effectiveness of financial rewards for physicians who achieve pre-defined quality improvement measures in treating patients with heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
- Hospitalist Expansion and Organization
From admission to discharge, hospitalists supervise the care of inpatients—simplifying the process, improving communication and reducing the chance of medical error.
Future Direction
Proposed investigations include studies of the following:
- Ethics of quality improvement projects and understanding human subject protection issues
- Organizational characteristics of Einstein-Montefiore's primary care sites (e.g., workforce and presence of residents) and the effect of these characteristics on quality of care