Whether they’re knocking out germs with hand hygiene or training hard to identify safety threats quickly, PPMC’s staff are committed to maintaining a patient-centered culture of safety. During the 14th Annual Patient Safety Fair, teams across the hospital put together creative, educational displays and engaging, interactive presentations highlighting the innovative strategies they have implemented to minimize risks, prevent adverse events, and investigate errors. This year’s theme, “Gonna Fly Now… BE Stronger Together Now,” combined the Penn Medicine BE Standards with the city’s favorite icon — Rocky Balboa — which led to some great puns and even better costumes.
During the awards ceremony, patient safety officer Marty Bohnenkamp, MD, announced the top four displays — a difficult choice given that everyone went above and beyond! — with the grand prize going to the Neuro Intensive Care team for their “Time for Patient Safety Rounds & Rocky Is in the Ring!” display. In addition to bragging rights, two NICU team members will be able to attend the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s 2019 Patient Safety Conference in December. For the first time, a Best Catch Award was also presented to an employee who identified a “near miss” before it could cause harm. The inaugural award was given to Trauma Intensive Care nurse Lauren Schlegal, RN, who recognized and reported that a high-alert medication was infusing at an incorrect rate.
Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to all of the participants for ensuring PPMC delivers high quality, safe care to every patient, every time!
- Grand Prize: Time for Patient Safety Rounds & Rocky Is in the Ring! — Neuro Intensive Care Unit team
- Best Catch Award: Lauren Schlegal, RN — Trauma Intensive Care Unit
- First Runner Up: Round, Won — Cupp 4 East
- Second Runner Up: Eye on the Patient — Ambulatory Surgical Facility
- Third Runner Up: H&V Nursing Working Stronger Together — Heart & Vascular Intensive Care Unit
- Honorable Mentions: Fighting the Stigma (Wright 5), It May Get ‘Rocky’ (Volunteer Services), and ‘Yo, Adrian, Wash Your Hands!’ (Resource Pool)