JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Brooke Army Medical Center held its annual Patient Safety Week March 12-18 to draw attention and heighten awareness of patient safety within the organization. Safety is also key in BAMC’s journey to becoming a high reliability organization.
“Our daily operations are inundated with tasks and it is easy to lose sight of the reason why we do some of them,” said Robin Francis, BAMC patient safety manager. “The purpose of this week is to reorient the organization to the cornerstone of patient care – patient safety – and recognize those staff members who make patient safety their priority every day.”
BAMC’s Safety Week was filled with different safety themed events like the Patient Safety Engagement Fair, question of the day and the Super HeRO award.
The main event was a safety gauntlet exercise. The gauntlet involved seven timed patient safety exercises performed in teams of two from the same departments or wards. The purpose of the activity was to foster a competitive, fun spirit with emphasis on improved understanding and awareness of patient safety scenarios to assess current staff knowledge.
Sylvia Ringmacher, BAMC’s department of quality services performance improvement coordinator, said this was her second Patient Safety Week and felt that this year’s event definitely had more engagement than in the past.
“Patient safety is the benchmark in HRO, so this was an energizing way to focus on some of the areas that need constant attention,” Ringmacher said. “I think it included fun activities with multiple services involved and working together.”
Patient Safety Week culminated with BAMC Commanding General Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson presenting awards, coins and certificates of recognition to staff members who helped put the event together.
Additional Safety Awards:
Coin: Army Sgt. Jacob Hetterley for infectious disease tracking system
Coin: Renee Malone for improving patient and access to care in the Emergency Department
Super HeRO Trophy: NICU in recognition of overall multidisciplinary camaraderie in a patient centered approach
Poster Competition first place: Air Force Capt. (Dr.) Brandon Kuiper, “Incorporation of Electronic Order Set to Improve Compliance with Osteoporosis Treatment Following Hip Fracture.”
Poster Competition second place: Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Kathryn Edwards, “Improving Anaphylaxis Rates in the Allergy Clinic.”
Poster Competition third place: Air Force Capt. (Dr.) Scott Penney, “Pediatric Rapid Response Team: Vital Sign Based System vs. Pediatric Early Warning Score System.”