Still high from the Eagles’ Super Bowl win, HUP and CPUP staff joined forces for the annual Patient Safety Fair to create their own “Safety Super Bowl” to illustrate the many ways we are keeping patients, families and staff safe.
Maureen Gremminger of Environmental Services challenged passers-by to measure “how clean are your belongings?” in her interactive demonstration. Several people offered to test their phones, pens, ID badges … and the results were not good. The majority failed the “less than 50 particles per million” level that is proper for a hospital environment. “Many people told me, ‘I never thought about cleaning my ID’” she said, but clearly germs, viruses and other kinds of “dirt” find homes on all of our daily go-to belongings. One standout was Subha Airan-Javia, MD, of General Medicine. Her stethoscope passed the test with flying colors. Why? “I wipe it down with alcohol before and after each patient visit,” she said. “I learned this from my attending when I was an intern. An excellent mentor!”
The “What’s wrong with this line?” game showed how attention to small details make a difference in reducing central line acquired bloodstream infections, for example, making sure the open access ports on a central line are properly covered to “protect them from germs from touch or air-borne contaminants,” said Melissa Maynard, BSN, of Rhoads 3 (a hematology/oncology unit). She also did one of the many roving demonstrations that brought important safety messages to care providers on patient care units.
Laboratory Medicine processes between 10,000 and 14,000 specimens a day. So even though the vast majority of specimens sent to Lab Med are properly labeled, even a small percentage can lead to delays in treatment, increased length of stay and patient dissatisfaction. Peggy Bulley and Cara McLaughlin of Lab Med took their “show” on the road as well, explaining to unit staff the importance of properly identifying the patient and making sure the tube label matches the patient’s name and is properly adhered to the tube.
Infection Control took the Super Bowl theme to new heights: Tackling Infections like Champions! Germs (aka the Patriots) tried to advance down the field but the mighty Eagles, using offense and defense strategies (such as proper hand hygiene, covering your mouth when coughing, or wearing personal protective equipment) could stop infections in their tracks and win the game. “Follow the guidebook. You can’t win when you let your guard down!” their display advised.
Patient Safety Week also offered several sessions on a variety of topics, including opioids and caring for the care provider training, as well as the ever popular Pet the Pooch.
Thanks to everyone who worked to make the 2018 Patient Safety Week such a success! “Each year, you surpass the prior year,” said Jill Huzinec, RPh, director of Patient Safety. “Kudos to all!”