In March, PAH staff joined virtual workshops and interactive activities in recognition of Patient Safety Awareness Week, completing the week with a hospital-wide Safety Fair.
Hosted by PAH’s Patient Safety Team, the Safety Fair – held in-person for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – gave staff the opportunity to refresh their knowledge of safety best practices, and to learn more about safety initiatives in effect throughout PAH.
“It was like a science fair,” said Rebecca Fordham, MSN, RN, LSSGB, interprofessional patient safety officer and member of the PAH Safety Team.
“Representatives from various departments created posters that staff could approach to learn about safety skills that were unique to their units.”
Comprised of 16 stations, the fair displayed posters and handouts covering an array of safety-related topics, including infection prevention, with resources on hand hygiene and products used to treat types of infections. Other booths had games with prizes to review safety practices, like Medication Safety Madness, in which staff competed to name as many medication safety guidelines as they could – whoever named the most won their round and moved forward in a March Madness–style bracket.
Staff also participated in a fire simulator to display their fire-prevention skills. Employees could hold a mock fire extinguisher in front of a screen with virtual flames. The flames would only be successfully extinguished if the participant followed the correct steps – standing at the recommended distance away from the fire, aiming at the base of the fire, and exhibiting a steady sweeping motion.
“At PAH, we always say ‘Safety First at the Nation’s First,’” said Fordham. “Safety is everyone’s business, and it’s nice that we could all come together and celebrate the ways we’re promoting both patient and staff safety at the hospital.”