Navy Medicine East promotes patient safety through recognition

PORTSMOUTH , VA, UNITED STATES

01.29.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephane Belcher 

Naval Medical Forces Atlantic

Navy Medicine East’s (NME) high reliability team nominated the three top-ranked Good Catch winners from 2017 to continue to the U.S. Navy Surgeon General’s Annual Good Catch Award.

Each month NME recognizes staff across its 100 medical centers, hospitals and branch health clinics who step up, speak up and take action to ensure the best health outcomes for patients as part of its Good Catch Recognition Award Program.

“We’re dedicated to becoming a high reliability organization and providing the safest, highest quality patient care possible,” said Capt. Cary Harrison, NME’s chief medical officer and high reliability department head. “This requires strong leadership support, a culture of safety in which all staff and patients feel comfortable speaking up and expressing concerns, and the ability to learn from errors and good catches. This learning is used to continually strengthen our processes and improve patient safety.”

Regardless of whether care is provided in a civilian or military health care facility, medicine — by its very nature — comes with risk. That’s why Navy Medicine East’s high-reliability team remains focused on improving patient safety, quality of care and enhancing both the patient and staff experience. The Good Catch Award is one of the many ways NME encourages this culture of safety.

NME’s Good Catch winner from last February, Ensign Anna Jarvis, from Naval Hospital Jacksonville’s Mother Infant Unit, who observed a patient and voiced a concern, which led to appropriate treatment.

According to The Joint Commission, millions of people every year suffer adverse effects of medication errors. NME’s Good Catch winner last April, Ensign Jesi James, from Naval Medical Center (NMC) Camp Lejeune’s Multiservice Ward, ensured that was not the case for the patient in his care. Because of James’ vigilance and use of checklists, a possible medication error was avoided.

NME’s Good Catch winner last August, Hospitalman Dennis Hueston, from NMC Camp Lejeune’s Family Medicine Clinic, demonstrated attention to detail that resulted in a patient having an electrocardiogram, which potentially impacted the health outcome.

Recognizing winners throughout the year at the military treatment facility level helps NME maintain a culture of safety and promotes staff engagement in patient safety.

NME oversees the delivery of medical, dental and other health care services to approximately one million patients across the eastern hemisphere—including the Tidewater Military Health System which brings together McDonald Army Health Center, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and U.S. Air Force Hospital Langley. Plus, its public health activities extend globally. For more information, visit www.med.navy.mil/sites/nme.

• Date Taken: 01.29.2018
• Date Posted: 01.29.2018 15:51
• Story ID: 263745
• Location: PORTSMOUTH , VA, US