The 22-hospital system is recognizing patient safety week across Indiana
INDIANPOLIS – During the week of March 3, St.Vincent Health, part of Ascension Health, the nation’s largest Catholic health system, will participate with the Indiana Hospital Association and other Indiana hospitals to observe Patient Safety Awareness Week and honor a statewide commitment to collectively work together as a health care community to provide the safest care possible. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has joined this effort by proclaiming March 3-9, 2013, as Patient Safety Awareness Week in Indiana.
Patient Safety Awareness Week is an annual education and awareness campaign for health care safety led by the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF). This year’s Patient Safety 7/365 theme highlights the need for everyone to understand the importance of focusing on patient safety year-round.
“Building a culture that reflects our commitment to the unending destination of safety, quality and experience for patients and caregivers has and continues to be one of St.Vincent Health’s most critical priorities,” said Jon Rahman, MD, chief medical officer for St.Vincent Health. “Through our participation in the Ascension Health Healing Without Harm by 2014 initiative, we are intently working toward the goal of eliminating preventable errors and deaths through the principles and practices of High Reliability.”
NPSF encourages creative collaboration among provider groups, patient advocates and other community organizations to help patients and consumers understand how they can participate to be part of the solution. St.Vincent Health supports collaboration and progress has been possible through implementation of daily safety huddles; error prevention technique training; improved root cause analysis capability; and safe coach programs.
“We know our work is never done,” explained Dr. Rahman. “We all play an important role in developing a culture of safety, and we must continue to raise the bar when it comes to providing the best care for our patients. They expect it and deserve it.”
This is a week to recognize the advancements that have been made in the patient safety arena, while acknowledging the challenges that remain—and committing to work on them, every day.
“Patient safety and the quality of care in our hospitals remains a primary focus of the Indiana Hospital Association,” said Betsy Lee, director, Indiana Patient Safety Center. “Indiana hospitals continue to reach patient safety milestones and find ways to improve the care their patients receive.”
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About St.Vincent Health
St.Vincent Health is a nonprofit, spiritually-centered health system, sponsored by Ascension Health of St. Louis, MO, the nation’s largest Catholic health system. St.Vincent Health is one of Indiana’s largest employers with 22 health ministries serving 57 counties in Central and Southern Indiana. The health ministry includes St.Vincent Indianapolis Hospital; Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St.Vincent; St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana; St.Vincent Medical Center Northeast; St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo; St.Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital; St.Vincent Carmel Hospital; St.Vincent Women’s Hospital; St.Vincent Clay Hospital in Brazil; St.Vincent Frankfort Hospital; St.Vincent Jennings Hospital in North Vernon; St.Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood; St.Vincent New Hope; St.Vincent Randolph Hospital in Winchester; St.Vincent Stress Center; St.Vincent Salem Hospital; St.Vincent Williamsport Hospital; St.Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital in Indianapolis and Lafayette; and St. Mary’s Health System in Evansville.
Indiana Hospital Association is a non-profit organization that serves as the professional trade association for 164 Hoosier hospitals. These members are either independent or a member of one of the 23 systems in the state. Membership includes hospitals, multi-hospital systems and community mental health centers. The mission of the IHA is to provide leadership, representation and services in the common best interests of its members as they promote the improvement of community health status. IHA’s primary responsibility is to represent the interests of hospitals in matters of public policy. IHA also provides members with education, communications and data collection services.
