The West Health Accelerator Core team is led by BWH’s Zara Cooper, MD, MSc, and Rachelle Bernacki, MD, MS, with the nursing implementation led by Amy Bulger, MPH, RN, GERO-BC, CPHQ, director of Geriatrics Operations in the Center for Geriatric Surgery and Department of Nursing.
The core team will establish best practices, develop data-driven protocols, and conduct clinician training to address the needs and risks of older adults. With these efforts, the team aims to improve care for hospitalized patients within the system and create a geriatric care model that other hospitals could implement.
“Nurses have been critical advocates and leaders in improving care for older adults in specialties and services across the Brigham, whether through our Geriatrics Care Improvement Committee, clinical pathways, quality improvement initiatives, innovations and the delivery of care each day,” said Julia Mason, DNP, MBA, RN, CENP, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of Patient Care Services. “In my rounds, I’ve witnessed firsthand your commitment to delivering the highest quality of care for older adults.”
The Brigham became the first hospital in New England and the first hospital of its size nationally to achieve Geriatric Surgery Verification from the American College of Surgeons in 2023.
“The verification is a testament to the incredible care our teams provide across numerous areas,” she said. “The West Health Accelerator will build on the incredible work that has been done in this space at the Brigham.”
Additional information will be shared with nurses and nurse leaders in the coming weeks.
To learn more about the West Health Accelerator, please visit westhealthacceleratoratmgb.org.