National Patient Safety Week Kickoff Highlights Safe Patient Care at NHB

By Douglas H. Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) officially commenced National Patient Safety Week of March 4-10 with a kickoff celebration March 5.

The annual weeklong event focuses on enhancing, improving and increasing awareness on a wide range of patient-related safety topics for beneficiaries, staff and command visitors.

"By engaging our staff and engaging our patients with such tools as these at work and at home, we'll make where we work and live that much safer. The more we know about our health and safety, the better off we will be. "Be aware for safe care" is our theme this year. We want to ensure that we have safe patient care every day," said Cmdr. Sarah Butler, NHB Quality Management department head.

Butler shared that some things patients can do to "Be aware for safe care" include; seeking information and questions; keeping track of their family (medical) history; knowing and writing down personal health care history; exploring healthcare options and selecting a hospital, doctor and pharmacy that fit their needs; choosing a family or friend as a health care advocate; following up on test results; and evaluating their environment (at home, work, away) to assess (any) risk of falling.

The kickoff ceremony also included NHB's Quality Management staff re-launching the Staff Safety Handbook campaign. "We've always meant to have this program in place and this kickoff gives us the perfect opportunity to pass on to everyone that this booklet is a great all-around training tool," Butler said, noting that the basic safety tips in the pocket-sized books are also a convenient way to teach and share with others in the departments and clinics.

"We'll put these handbooks to good use in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) to help increase our readiness in patient safety," said Hospitalman Gregory Anderson, of NHB's ICU/Critical Care.

The most visual and popular event throughout the week was the "Patient Safety Seek and Find" static and interactive display on the quarterdeck, where anyone could check their situational awareness (SA) for patient safety. The display featured a bed-ridden manikin patient, with associated medical and hospital props that may or may not be conducive to proper patient care. The goal was for each participant to try and find the 15 errors associated with the display.

"This display is for everyone, but especially our staff. We're hoping to get as many staff members involved as we can throughout the week and increase their awareness. Our overall goal is for everyone to take a moment to try and see how many things they can find in the display that put the patient at risk," said Mayda Schaefer, patient safety analyst, adding that this is the eighth consecutive year NHB has highlighted National Patient Safety Week with a kickoff ceremony.

Butler stressed that patients and family are a key part of the healthcare team. "We want them to realize there are good questions for their good health that they should address and discuss with their doctor, nurse and pharmacist every time we see them during a visit. "What is my main problem?" "What do I need to do?" "Why is it important for me to do this?" All these are legitimate questions that are in their right to ask," said Butler.

Butler also shared NHB'S usage of the Department of Defense Patient Safety Program theme of TEAM UP to actively promote getting patients involved as partners with their healthcare team.

"T is for 'team together.' E is for 'educate yourself.' A is for 'ask questions.' M is for 'manage your medications.' U is for understand changes in the game plan.' P is for provide perspective," Butler said.

According to Butler, the 2012 National Patient Safety Goals for hospital staff and leaders will focus improving identifying patients correctly such as using at least 2-ways to identifying the patient; improving staff communications by getting important test results to the right staff person on time; improving infection prevention with such measures as advocating hand-cleansing guidelines; using medication safely by labeling medicines and medication containers not already labeled; and identifying patient safety risks correctly by identifying any patient who may be at risk for committing suicide.

There were also learning lads organized by NHB's risk manager, patient safety expert and others.

"We're highlighting one week for something we do year-round, but we feel the added emphasis is important not only for our patients, but also for our staff," said Butler.