Safety


Our Audacious Goal: By 2015, Valley Hospital and Medical Center plan to be #1 in the nation for patient, employee and physician safety. These are not empty words. Safety activities in process include involvement in the 100,000 Lives program, Risk-to-Fall programs, National Patient Safety Goals, standardization efforts and other activities.

100,000 Lives Campaign

We are proud to participate in this nationwide initiative of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). The IHI believes that by using very carefully outlined interventions consistently at participating hospitals, we can save 100,000 lives in one year’s time. Each of these interventions has been studied and been found to be the most successful, “best practice” treatment. Components of this program include the following. Deploy Rapid Response Teams…at the first sign of patient decline (get specialty help early) Deliver Reliable, Evidence-Based Care for Acute Myocardial Infarction…to prevent deaths from heart attack Prevent Adverse Drug Events (ADEs)…by implementing medication reconciliation Prevent Central Line Infections…by implementing a series of interdependent, scientifically grounded steps called the “Central Line Bundle” Prevent Surgical Site Infections…by reliably delivering the correct perioperative care Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia…by implementing a series of interdependent, scientifically grounded steps called the “Ventilator Bundle”

Standardization Efforts

	Standardization is a recognized way to avoid errors and inefficiency. From department to department, you will find consistent, quality equipment and processes. Currently being standardized are eyewash, code carts, defibrillators and a transition process using a team approach for communication about patients.

National Patient Safety Goals

	Each year, the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations identifies goals for the year to improve safety of patients. Since we are accredited by the JCAHO, we have or will be incorporating these goals in our care. A list of the 2007 goals can be found at JCAHO.

A Safe Culture

	Our organization is working hard to create an open, safe culture, where less-than-ideal situations are recognized to be most often a failure in process, rather than simple human error. This philosophy allows us to move immediately into the process improvement and action plan stages.

Contacts:

	Patient Safety Manager, Dianne Huggar 473-2591 Dianne had special training from the IHI and works closely with our Risk Management, Performance Improvement, Infection Control and Utilization Review to improve safety for our patients, employees and physicians. Environmental Safety Manager, Randy Benson 473-5959 Randy has been keeping Deaconess and Valley safe for many years. He is the one who makes sure there is no dust, no fire hazards and no outdated tubing or foods within the hospital. He is instrumental to making sure our employees get the education they need to safely care for their patients and know how to act in emergency situations.

2006 Safety Committee Members
Randy Benson	Safety Manager	5959
Renee Burghard	VOSC	5488
Sharyl Bergerud	Education	7123
Margaret Christian	Infection Control	5426/7349
Ben Fox	Pharmacy	5479
Mickey Graff	Nursing Supervisor	5408
Amy Hiestand	Education	5569
Diane Huggar	Patient Care Services	5405
Sue Kent	Employee Health	5744
Mike Linerud	CS Warehouse	7084
Laurie Ball	Lab	5015
Dave Martin	Support Svcs / Risk Management	5980/5465
Kimberly Meeks	Medical / Oncology Nursing	5472
Misty Oakes	Outpatient	5424
Jim Oberst/Bill Miller	Clinical Engineering	7179 / 7025
Greg Palmanteer	Physical Plant	5469
Brad Bailey	Safety	5958
Pam Stanciu	PBX	5000
Jody Streepy	Clinical Risk Management	5984
Brenda Wagoner	Outpatient / Nursing	5424
Rob Van Anrooy / Jim Wilson	Security	5651 / 342-1203