Safety Counts! November/December 2016
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VOL. 4, NO. 6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 A NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTING SAFETY AT HALLMARK HEALTH Safety Counts Workforce safety featured as an FY17goal Each fiscal year, Hallmark Health develops a set of goals and objectives to drive improvements in the five cornerstones of people, quality, service, growth and finance. This year’s people cornerstone goal is “to have the safest, healthiest, most engaged workforce in the health care industry.” “Identifying workplace safety as an organizational goal asks managers throughout the organization to focus on giving employees the tools and the training they need to do their jobs safely,” said David Ryan, Esq., vice president of Human Resources. “We want people to think proactively to reduce the risk of injury.” Slips and falls, strains and sprains, and sharps injuries are commonly reported incidents at health care organizations. “Not all injuries can be anticipated, but steps can be taken to reduce the risks,” Ryan said. "For example, before a patient transfer, the employee should consider using assistive equipment or asking for assistance rather than transferring the patient without help." The Occupational Safety and Health Administration collects work-related injury data that helps employers identify and monitor safety issues. Using the OSHA formula, an employer can determine its DART ratio – days away, restrictions and transfers as a result of workplace injuries – and compare its performance to other organizations in the same industry. Two objectives have been identified to measure improvement at Hallmark Health: • To increase the percent of positive responses on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Culture of Safety Survey • To meet or exceed national OSHA DART benchmarks at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, VNA and Hospice, and Hallmark Health Medical Associates “While some entities performed better than the OSHA benchmarks in FY16, our goal is to do better than the benchmarks throughout the entire system,” said Ryan. The HoverMatt ® , shown here by (L) Missole Dorcelus, patient care technician, and (R) Linda Auclair, BSN, RN, CRRN, is one of the tools available to transfer patients safely without lifting or straining. Innovations for a safer workplace Nicole Gaudet, medical assistant, Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, is among the many employees who have implemented safety innovations in their departments at Hallmark Health. The innovation program invites employees – the people who know their work areas best – to identify, implement and test improvement ideas in their own work areas. Among the more than 430 ideas implemented in fiscal year 2016 were many that create a safer work environment. Here is a small sampling: • Nicole Gaudet, medical assistant, Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, recognized the need to have a safe word in place in the event that a staff member is in an uncomfortable situation. Now, staff members use a discreet phrase when in need of assistance without drawing attention and alarming others. • Colby Relph, CPhT, pharmacy buyer, saw the potential risks of trying to access the top shelf of the carousel racks in the pharmacy without a step stool. She implemented her idea to decrease injury risk by having an easy-to-access stool in a standard location in the department at all times. • Tina Sacco, senior clinical associate, Melrose-Wakefield Hospital Emergency Department, implemented a way to keep hallways clear by creating designated areas for equipment such as EKG machines, vital sign monitoring equipment and thermometers in each section of the ED. The result is clean, clear and safer hallways. To learn more about the innovation program, visit the bulletin boards near the cafeterias at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital and Lawrence Memorial Hospital, or contact David Marshall, director of performance improvement, at [email protected]. Do you have a safety story to share? The SafetyCounts team wants to hear from you. Email us at [email protected].
Transcript of Safety Counts! November/December 2016
VOL. 4, NO. 6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
A NEWSLETTER
HIGHLIGHTING
SAFETY AT
HALLMARK HEALTHSafetyCountsWorkforce safety featured as an FY17goal
Do you have a safety story to share? The SafetyCounts team wants to hear from you. Email us at [email protected].
Each fiscal year, Hallmark Health developsa set of goals and objectives to driveimprovements in the five cornerstones ofpeople, quality, service, growth and finance.This year’s people cornerstone goal is “tohave the safest, healthiest, most engagedworkforce in the health care industry.”
“Identifying workplace safety as anorganizational goal asks managersthroughout the organization to focus ongiving employees the tools and the trainingthey need to do their jobs safely,” saidDavid Ryan, Esq., vice president of HumanResources. “We want people to thinkproactively to reduce the risk of injury.”
Slips and falls, strains and sprains, andsharps injuries are commonly reported incidents at health careorganizations. “Not all injuries can be anticipated, but steps can betaken to reduce the risks,” Ryan said. "For example, before a patienttransfer, the employee should consider using assistive equipment orasking for assistance rather than transferring the patient without help."
The Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration collects work-related injurydata that helps employers identify andmonitor safety issues. Using the OSHAformula, an employer can determine itsDART ratio – days away, restrictions andtransfers as a result of workplace injuries – and compare its performance to otherorganizations in the same industry.
Two objectives have been identified tomeasure improvement at Hallmark Health: • To increase the percent of positive responseson the Agency for Healthcare Research andQuality Culture of Safety Survey• To meet or exceed national OSHA DARTbenchmarks at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital,
Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, VNA and Hospice, andHallmark Health Medical Associates
“While some entities performed better than the OSHAbenchmarks in FY16, our goal is to do better than the benchmarksthroughout the entire system,” said Ryan.
The HoverMatt®, shown here by (L) Missole Dorcelus, patient care technician, and (R) Linda Auclair, BSN, RN, CRRN, is one of the tools
available to transfer patients safely without lifting or straining.
Innovations for a safer workplace
Nicole Gaudet, medical assistant, Diabetes and Endocrinology Center atLawrence Memorial Hospital,is among the many employeeswho have implemented safety innovations in their departments at Hallmark Health.
The innovation program invites employees – the people who know their work areas best – to identify,implement and test improvement ideas in their own work areas. Among the more than 430 ideasimplemented in fiscal year 2016 were many that create a safer work environment. Here is a small sampling:• Nicole Gaudet, medical assistant, Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at Lawrence Memorial Hospital,recognized the need to have a safe word in place in the event that a staff member is in an uncomfortablesituation. Now, staff members use a discreet phrase when in need of assistance without drawing attentionand alarming others.• Colby Relph, CPhT, pharmacy buyer, saw the potential risks of trying to access the top shelf of thecarousel racks in the pharmacy without a step stool. She implemented her idea to decrease injury risk byhaving an easy-to-access stool in a standard location in the department at all times.• Tina Sacco, senior clinical associate, Melrose-Wakefield Hospital Emergency Department, implemented away to keep hallways clear by creating designated areas for equipment such as EKG machines, vital signmonitoring equipment and thermometers in each section of the ED. The result is clean, clear and safer hallways.
To learn more about the innovation program, visit the bulletin boards near the cafeterias at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital and Lawrence Memorial Hospital, or contact David Marshall, director of performance improvement, at [email protected].
SafetyCounts Nov-Dec 2016 - 1:Hallmark Newsletter Designs 11/2/16 8:10 AM Page 1
VOL. 4, NO. 6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
A NEWSLETTER
HIGHLIGHTING
SAFETY AT
HALLMARK HEALTHSafetyCountsWorkforce safety featured as an FY17goal
Do you have a safety story to share? The SafetyCounts team wants to hear from you. Email us at [email protected].
Each fiscal year, Hallmark Health developsa set of goals and objectives to driveimprovements in the five cornerstones ofpeople, quality, service, growth and finance.This year’s people cornerstone goal is “tohave the safest, healthiest, most engagedworkforce in the health care industry.”
“Identifying workplace safety as anorganizational goal asks managersthroughout the organization to focus ongiving employees the tools and the trainingthey need to do their jobs safely,” saidDavid Ryan, Esq., vice president of HumanResources. “We want people to thinkproactively to reduce the risk of injury.”
Slips and falls, strains and sprains, andsharps injuries are commonly reported incidents at health careorganizations. “Not all injuries can be anticipated, but steps can betaken to reduce the risks,” Ryan said. "For example, before a patienttransfer, the employee should consider using assistive equipment orasking for assistance rather than transferring the patient without help."
The Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration collects work-related injurydata that helps employers identify andmonitor safety issues. Using the OSHAformula, an employer can determine itsDART ratio – days away, restrictions andtransfers as a result of workplace injuries – and compare its performance to otherorganizations in the same industry.
Two objectives have been identified tomeasure improvement at Hallmark Health: • To increase the percent of positive responseson the Agency for Healthcare Research andQuality Culture of Safety Survey• To meet or exceed national OSHA DARTbenchmarks at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital,
Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, VNA and Hospice, andHallmark Health Medical Associates
“While some entities performed better than the OSHAbenchmarks in FY16, our goal is to do better than the benchmarksthroughout the entire system,” said Ryan.
The HoverMatt®, shown here by (L) Missole Dorcelus, patient care technician, and (R) Linda Auclair, BSN, RN, CRRN, is one of the tools
available to transfer patients safely without lifting or straining.
Innovations for a safer workplace
Nicole Gaudet, medical assistant, Diabetes and Endocrinology Center atLawrence Memorial Hospital,is among the many employeeswho have implemented safety innovations in their departments at Hallmark Health.
The innovation program invites employees – the people who know their work areas best – to identify,implement and test improvement ideas in their own work areas. Among the more than 430 ideasimplemented in fiscal year 2016 were many that create a safer work environment. Here is a small sampling:• Nicole Gaudet, medical assistant, Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at Lawrence Memorial Hospital,recognized the need to have a safe word in place in the event that a staff member is in an uncomfortablesituation. Now, staff members use a discreet phrase when in need of assistance without drawing attentionand alarming others.• Colby Relph, CPhT, pharmacy buyer, saw the potential risks of trying to access the top shelf of thecarousel racks in the pharmacy without a step stool. She implemented her idea to decrease injury risk byhaving an easy-to-access stool in a standard location in the department at all times.• Tina Sacco, senior clinical associate, Melrose-Wakefield Hospital Emergency Department, implemented away to keep hallways clear by creating designated areas for equipment such as EKG machines, vital signmonitoring equipment and thermometers in each section of the ED. The result is clean, clear and safer hallways.
To learn more about the innovation program, visit the bulletin boards near the cafeterias at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital and Lawrence Memorial Hospital, or contact David Marshall, director of performance improvement, at [email protected].
SafetyCounts Nov-Dec 2016 - 1:Hallmark Newsletter Designs 11/2/16 8:10 AM Page 1
Get on board!Join the SafetyCounts campaign. Speak up when you see an opportunity to improve the safety of patients,
visitors and staff by submitting an RL6 report or speaking to your manager.
A multifaceted sharps safety initiative
SafetyCounts is published by the Hallmark Health Culture of Safety Leadership Committee: Nancy Bittner, PhD, CNS, RN; William Doherty, MD
(cochair); Pamela Duchene, PhD, APRN-BC, NEA, FACHE; Diane Farraher-Smith, MSN, MBA, RN; Lori Howley; Hugh Kelleher; David Marshall;
Kelley McCue, Esq., CHC, CHPC; David Ryan, Esq.; Steven Sbardella, MD; Theresa Sievers, MS, RN, CPHQ, CPHRM (cochair); Johna Wasdyke;
Debra Wright, BSN, MPH, RN, CPHRM. Copy is reviewed and approved by committee members.
Hallmark Health is steadfast in itscommitment to protect all staff fromexposure to bloodborne viruses, bacteriaand other pathogens caused byaccidental sharps injuries. Sharpsinclude needles, scalpels and otherdevices that can puncture the skin. Staffmembers who encounter such deviceson a daily basis include physicians,nurses, laboratory technicians, surgicaltechnicians, environmental services staffand pharmacy staff.
“Needles with effective engineeredsafety features greatly reduce the risk ofaccidental needle sticks,” said Patricia Conway, RN, practicecoordinator of Occupational Health. “But certain sharps can’thave a safety feature, so other safeguards are in place. In theoperating room, for example, sharp instruments are passed in abasin rather than by hand.”
Sharps safety education begins at new employeeorientation and continues through staff development andNetLearning. If an injury does occur, a coordinated system
is in place to ensure the health and well-beingof the person injured.
Hallmark Health adheres to the federalregulations set by the Occupational Safety andHealth Administration Bloodborne PathogensStandard. It requires employers to identify,evaluate and implement safer medical devices;involve non-managerial health care workers inevaluating and choosing devices; and keep asharps injury log.
“We report annually to the MassachusettsDepartment of Health and Human Servicesand compare our results with those of otherhealth care organizations,” said Conway. “Our
performance is significantly better than the state requires.Between 2014 and 2015, our sharps injuries decreased by six percent.”
Conway leads the sharps committee, a multidisciplinarygroup that focuses solely on sharps safety issues and welcomesnew members. “Preventing all sharps injuries is our goal,” saidConway. “We’re always willing to review new products andhear new ideas about how to achieve that. Everyone hassomething to contribute.”
Effective safety-engineered products, proper sharps disposal systems, and ongoing staff education and training support Hallmark Health’s commitment
to preventing sharps injuries.
CASE STUDY
A butterfly needle is the device of choice for blood draws onpatients who have small veins or whose veins are difficult to access.Its cost, however, is higher than the more commonly used straight needle.
“When we learned of a product that seemed like a comparablealternative that would also lead to significant cost savings, we trialed it in the outpatient areas at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital,Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Hallmark Health Cancer Center andthe emergency departments,” said Greg Simpson, MT(ASCP), DLM,laboratory operations manager at Hallmark Health.
The evaluations submitted by staff using the new butterflyneedles indicated they were, indeed, clinically acceptable. Staffmembers were engaged in extensive training, and the new needleswere distributed across the organization in February 2016. Oneaccidental needle stick early on was attributed to the need foradditional training and further work with the manufacturer. Then,two other sticks were documented. When a very experienced staffmember had two accidental sticks during one shift, it became clearthat the efficacy of the needles’ safety devices was questionable.
“Prior to bringing in the new needles, our safety record wastremendous,” said Simpson. The laboratory management group metimmediately to discuss the cumulative issues. The sharps committeeresponded right away, too. According to Simpson, “We said,‘Enough is enough.’ Any product that jeopardizes the safety of ourstaff is not acceptable.”
Decision made, the Purchasing Department jumped on boardto remove all of the new butterfly needles and replace them with thepreviously used product without delay. “There haven’t been anyadditional problems,” Simpson noted.
A safe staff environment is priceless
“We said, ‘Enough is enough.’ Anyproduct that jeopardizes the safety of
our staff is not acceptable.”Greg Simpson, MT(ASCP), DLM, laboratory operations manager at Hallmark Health
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