USNH Yokosuka Promotes Patient Safety Awareness

By Edwin Hanson, U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka Japan Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Yokosuka has joined other leading healthcare organizations around the world in celebration of Patient Safety Awareness Week, sponsored by National Patient Safety Foundation, March 6-12.

This year's theme, "Are You In? Commit to Safe Health Care", focused on involving all participants in the healthcare process, from patient to provider.

"We have a very proactive patient safety program here at Naval Hospital Yokosuka," said USNH Yokosuka Executive Officer, Capt. Kevin Knoop. "Providing safe high quality care is our number one priority and that requires a culture of safety in the hospital. It's not something that happens on its own; we have to remain vigilant in its pursuit at all times."

During patient safety week, USNH Yokosuka patient safety officials will be engaging staff and patients throughout the hospital for brief lessons and awareness building activities. The most visible of which will be a patient safety booth located on the hospital quarterdeck.

"Improving patient safety means that everyone – from the patient to their healthcare providers – must be involved, informed and invested in safe care. Engaging each participant in the process is vital to giving patients the best care and making healthcare safe, for all," said Diane Pinakiewicz, President of the National Patient Safety Foundation.

Prior to this week, the hospital engaged the community with a variety of programs including the "Speak Up" campaign, sponsored by The Joint Commission, the accrediting organization for the hospital. The goal of "Speak Up" is to encourage beneficiaries to engage in their own care, in turn creating a two-way conversation between provider and patients.

The National Patient Safety Goals created by the Joint Commission are year round. Goals include improving processes to properly identify patients throughout the care process, actively promoting hand hygiene and other care related activities.

A new project to the hospital was the Halloween themed, Hospital Room of Horrors, in which patient safety officials staged a vacant hospital room with more than 50 violations of patient safety policy for hospital staff members to find.

"It was a great event that really amplified a culture of safety vigilance," said USNH Yokosuka Infection Preventionist and perioperative nurse, Lt. Cmdr. Richard Lawrence. "We have to be on our game every day and programs like this help us to refine our skills in a fun and productive way."