BOSTON, April 14, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF), a central voice for patient safety since 1997, has announced the recipients of the 2015 Stand Up For Patient Safety Management Awards.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center is being recognized for a project to reduce inpatient falls. North Shore/LIJ Health System is receiving an award for a system-wide effort to ensure accurate patient identification throughout the system.
The Stand Up for Patient Safety Management Award is presented each year in recognition of the successful implementation of outstanding patient safety initiatives by organizational members of the NPSF Stand Up for Patient Safety program. The 2015 awards will be conferred during the 17th Annual NPSF Patient Safety Congress, April 29-May 1, 2015, in Austin, Texas.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center, in Jackson, Miss., implemented a program to reduce the rate of patient falls in one of their inpatient units, where the rate was higher than the national average. The team instituted a program whereby patient care technicians and nursing assistants perform both routine and variable rounds—with variable visits occurring more frequently, allowing them to observe patients and attend to immediate needs. Since the program began in September 2014, the rate of falls on the unit has declined, from 6.2 falls per 1,000 patient days during the prior month to 1.19 falls per 1,000 days by the end of the year.
"We have found that patients are now more likely to wait for the rounder than try to get up by themselves, knowing how frequently they visit and how quickly they respond," said Cissy Bailey, MSN, RN, nurse manager.
North Shore/LIJ, one of the largest integrated health systems in the country, is being recognized for a program to improve patient identification through a standardized process implemented in all inpatient, ambulatory, clinical, and nonclinical settings. Accurate identification is crucial to ensure that patients are getting the right care, yet it is not uncommon for ambulatory clinics to use a different method of confirming identification than is used in inpatient units, for example. North Shore/LIJ created a structured, system-wide approach to standardize the practice.
"Our staff takes pride in its efforts to improve patient experience, and using our program to standardize practices has allowed us to make significant strides in this area," said Mark Jarrett, MD, senior vice president and chief quality officer for the North Shore-LIJ Health System. "We have seen measurable improvement in ensuring our patients are receiving the care they need and deserve."
"One of the best parts of our annual meeting is the opportunity to publicly recognize these important initiatives," said Tejal K. Gandhi, MD, MPH, CPPS, president and CEO, NPSF. "Members of the Stand Up for Patient Safety program at NPSF are leading the way in patient safety, and we are pleased to be able to celebrate successful efforts such as these."
The awards will be conferred at a special member networking event on Thursday, April 30, at the JW Marriott Austin. For details and registration information, visit www.npsf.org/congress.
About the National Patient Safety Foundation
The National Patient Safety Foundation's vision is to create a world where patients and those who care for them are free from harm. A central voice for patient safety since 1997, NPSF partners with patients and families, the health care community, and key stakeholders to advance patient safety and health care workforce safety and disseminate strategies to prevent harm. NPSF is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. For information about the Foundation's work, visit www.npsf.org.
About the NPSF Stand Up for Patient Safety Program
The Stand Up for Patient Safety program at NPSF caters to hospitals, health systems, physician offices, ambulatory facilities, and other entities focused on improving the safety of health care. Membership provides the support and education necessary to embed patient safety principles into organizational practice and align with national patient safety goals and critical regulatory requirements. Through participation, Stand Up members around the world gain access to field-tested tools and resources, expertly designed educational programs, and the invaluable support network created by the National Patient Safety Foundation. Visit the website to learn more.