SPRING 2009 A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER TO ASSIST THE MILITARY HEALTH SYSTEM IMPROVE PATIENT SAFETY

SPECIAL: Patient Safety Awareness Week Photo Album

MHS CELEBRATES NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK

The week of March 8–14, 2009 was National Patient Safety Awareness Week. This annual event, sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF), seeks to improve patient safety at the local level. Facilities are encouraged to host activities

that raise awareness of patient safety among staff, educate patients on ways to become involved in their own health care, and foster partnership activities between hospitals and their patient communities.

Since the inception of this national observance in 2002 DoD Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) have been enthusiastic and creative participants. The highlights pictured below are but a small sample of this year’s trans-global MHS National Patient Safety Week efforts. While special emphasis was placed on patient safety March 8th through 14th, the MHS embraces patient safety as its mission every day of the year!

With Fun and Games, Tri-Services Show They Are Serious About SAFETY

U.S. Naval Hospital, Guam…kicked off Patient Safety Awareness Week earlier than most, thanks to its early time zone. Decorated with banners and poster sized Universal Patient Compacts, Guam began the celebration in style, with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony. Throughout the week the hospital hosted poster and video sessions and distributed over 500 Patient Safety Kits to beneficiaries, visitors and staff. The kits included copies of the universal patient compact, infection prevention fridge magnets, the “Ask Me” guide to safer healthcare, my medicine travel logs, customer evaluations and patient compact survey forms. (Left) CAPT Miller, NH Guam CO, kicks off Patient Safety Awareness Week by cutting the official ribbon, aided by SPC Baza and her son. Photo Submitted by: Valerie Rislove, RN, BSN, Patient Safety Specialist, NH Guam

Mike O’Callaghan Federal Hospital, Nellis AFB…welcomed patients, staff, and visitors with signs announcing Patient Safety Week and its scheduled activities. A com-petitive poster display in the hospital lobby atrium celebrated National Patient Safety Goal compliance. Staff activities included a Patient Safety Crossword Puzzle created by A1C Jefonda McBride of the Laboratory, and a Lunch-n-Learn video on patient safety. Patients who visited displays received patient safety imprinted items, medication rec-onciliation brochures and medication cards. Specially produced health care and safety coloring books were distributed to children. Photo Submitted by: Shelley M. Drake, Patient Safety Program Manager, 99 MDG/SGQ, Nellis AFB, NV 89191

U.S Naval Hospital, Guantanamo (USNH GTMO)…published a special article in the base newspaper during Patient Safety Awareness Week entitled “Managing Your Health Care”. It encouraged patients to be involved with their care and speak openly with their doctors. A list of safety related measures that patients should see during their appointments was provided. Patients were encouraged to share their concerns and were provided with contact information for feedback. Patient-focused posters explaining National Patient Safety Goals were displayed throughout the hospital. Photo Submitted by: Edwin Hanson, Patient Safety Manager, US Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

U.S. Naval Hospital, Pensacola…sponsored a week of patient safety-related con-tests for hospital and branch clinic staff. A multiple choice Patient Safety Quiz, Patient Safety Word Search, Patient Safety Jeopardy and a Patient Safety Room of Horrors were played. Prizes included a special luncheon with the Commanding Officer (CO), Command Coins, restaurant gift certificates (donated) and Certificates of Achievement presented by the CO at Colors. The week culminated in a Patient Safety Fair with dis-plays, storyboards and giveaways and a “COOKOUT in the COURT YARD” for staff, patients and visitors who attended the Fair. Photo Submitted by: Stuart Weston, Patient Safety Officer, Naval Hospital Pensacola

Wilford Hall Medical Center…publicized Patient Safety Awareness Week with an entrance marquee, posters and signs throughout the hospital, and a newspaper article. Staff decorated bulletin boards and identified safety hazards in the Room of Horrors. Patients were invited to a social where representatives from many departments answered questions related to patient safety and distributed educational materials. Staff visited the inpatient and outpatient waiting areas with a patient safety cart in a unique Cart Walk Around. The cart, filled with patient safety information, provided an opportunity for staff to interact with patients and visitors and show them how safety is incorporated into patient care on a daily basis at Wilford Hall. (Left) Col Yip (pictured on right) receives information on TeamSTEPPS from Lt Tia Hutto. Photo Submitted by: Sharon Herrera, Patient Safety Data Analyst Manager, Wilford Hall Medical Center

Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth…celebrated Patient Safety Awareness Week with a little help from its friend — Captain Compliance, pictured at left. The brainchild of LT Denetra Hampton, CAPT Compliance roamed the hospital reminding staff to be in compliance with the National Patient Safety Goals. Staff enjoyed refreshments at the S-BAR, where demonstrations in SBAR reporting accompanied the libations. In the inter-departmental competition for the best patient safety posters and booths, the Psychiatry Department took first place. With its focus on the “Speak Up” campaign, the booth was manned by staff wearing over-sized ears to impress upon patients that staff is “all ears” where issues of patient care and safety are concerned. Photo Submitted by: Teresa Valasek, RN, MSN, Patient Safety Specialist, NMC Portsmouth

National Patient Safety Goal

.01.01.01 and .01.03.01

Improve the Accuracy of Patient Identification

Use at least two patient identifiers when

providing care, treatment, and services.

The patient is asked by medical staff to verify

Name and Date of birth prior to:

-! Administering medications, blood, or blood

components.

- Collecting blood samples or other specimens.

-! Performing procedures or other treatments.

Why do we do this?

First, to ensure we have the right patient for whom

the service or treatment is intended for; second, to

match the service or treatment to that patient.

1st Special Operations Medical Group, Hurlburt Field, Florida…recognized its entire Medical Group as patient safety champions in a special Patient Safety Week event. Deputy Commander Col Schumacher addressed the Medical Group and honored indi-viduals for their ongoing patient safety efforts. He presented the “Good Catch Trophy” — a newly instituted award in the shape of a baseball mitt which recognizes staff who share the best good catch each month — to TSgt Melissa Brook. Decorations, balloons, music and refreshments set a celebratory mood. Staff and patients alike received educa-tional handouts and pens embossed with “Patient Safety Champion.” (Left) Deputy Com-mander Col Schumacher presents the Good Catch Trophy to TSgt Melissa Brook during Patient Safety Awareness Week event at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Photo Submitted by: Shawn Bolender, MSN, RN, SMQT, CPHQ, Patient Safety Manager, 1SO Medical Group, Hurlburt Field, Florida