Support
SCCM and the Critical
Care Education and Research Foundation
The Society's Critical Care Education and Research Foundation
(CCERF) was founded in 1999 to promote the highest level of care
for all ICU patients. The Society is becoming increasingly
important in advancing the critical care profession, serving its
members, and promoting patient safety. The CCERF helps to sustain
the Society by securing funding for research and education of the
critical care community, as well as providing valuable information
to the public by securing philanthropic contributions from individuals,
foundations and corporations.
»The Challenge to Improve Patient Safety
»
A Call to Action
»
Opportunities to Support Patient Safety
»
Types of Contributions
The Challenge to Improve Patient Safety
The United States has long been viewed as having the safest healthcare
system in the world. With its advanced technology, a wealth of highly
skilled physicians, nurses and caregivers, and an abundance of resources
to draw on, patients here receive exceptional care. But, do they?
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has
reported that up to 100,000 patients in the U.S. die each year as
a result of preventable errors - more than half occurring in the
ICU. Clearly our healthcare system needs to put into practice a
zero tolerance for preventable medical errors. That is the objective
of the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
For the most part, patient care in
the United States is delivered with compassion and skill. However,
many practices put patients at risk in our ICUs. While the concern
for patient safety issues impact all medical disciplines, it has
further implications in the ICU where patients are among the most
fragile in the hospital.
With a growing population filling ICUs,
medical errors will increase, unless preventive measures are employed.
A clear challenge has been posed to the healthcare system, and in
particular, to intensive care units: decrease medical errors and
improve patient safety now.
2005 Annual Report
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A
Call to Action
Since its founding in 1971, the Society of Critical Care Medicine
has consistently advocated for patient safety in the ICU. To promote
the highest level of care for all ICU patients,
the Society of Critical Care Medicine established the SCCM
Critical Care Education and Research Foundation.
Recognized universally as the leader
in ICU patient care, the Society is well positioned to advocate
for improving patient safety. To fund research
and education, it seeks philanthropic contributions from individuals,
foundations and corporations.
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Opportunities
to Support Patient Safety
The Critical Care Education and Research Foundation
has identified multiple opportunities to support the Society's objectives. These include the provision of
research grants, developing new guidelines and practice parameters;
providing critical care education to caregivers, worldwide; and the creation
of patient and family education materials. The following "wish list"
suggests giving levels for these worthy endeavors:
- New grant
- For every 6 gifts of $10,000, CCERF can fund
a new research grant.
- New guideline - For every 5 gifts of $5,000, CCERF can fund the development of a new guideline or practice
parameter as developed by the Society's American College of Critical
Care Medicine (ACCM).
- Fundamental Critical Care Support (FCCS) License
- For every gift of $2,500, CCERF can fund a Fundamental Critical Care Support (FCCS) course, by providing a course license to a critical
care organization in a developing or impoverished country.
- New patient & family educational material -
For each gift of $500 CCERF can
fund the development of new patient and family educational materials.
- Non-specified - You may choose to not designate
the exact purpose of your gift and permit the Society's leadership
to apply the funding to programs that have the most need.
Every gift of any size can be directed to support the what you are passionate passionate about.
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Types
of Contributions
Gifts to SCCM may take many forms:
- Donations of cash, securities, and
other assets are welcome. They may be made in honor of or
memory of admired persons. Every donation is tax deductible to
the full extent of the law.
- Fundraisers such as the annual member
appeal and a special event at the annual Congress generate important
resources for the Society.
- Planned giving vehicles -- charitable
gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, bequests and others.
Click here
to read more about planned giving options.
- Corporate support for SCCM projects.
- Foundation grants and government
funding.
All funds that are generated go to
support the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the Critical Care
Education and Research Foundations' vision, mission, and activities.
If you would like more information
on CCERF or funding options, please contact Pat Langford at (847)
827-7157 or e-mail plangford@sccm.org or click here for information on making a contribution.
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