The Mortality Review Committee: a novel and scalable approach to reducing inpatient mortality.

Background: Despite the importance of reducing inpatient mortality, little has been reported about establishing a hospitalwide, systematic process to review and address inpatient deaths. In 2006 the University of Pennsylvania Health System's Mortality Review Committee was established and charged with reducing inpatient mortality as measured by the mortality index--observed/expected mortality.

Methods: Between 2006 and 2012, through interdisciplinary meetings and analysis of administrative data and chart reviews, the Mortality Review Committee identified a number of opportunities for improvement in the quality of patient care.

Improving hospital restructuring: lessons learned.

Many health care organizations struggle to implement restructuring efforts that produce positive results. This article presents specific ways that restructuring can be improved and what causes such efforts to derail.