Recently, the Johns Hopkins Hospital Safety Department reported that the Department of Medicine met the challenge of complete engagement in improving the culture of safety.
As of August 31, every DOM inpatient unit, every ambulatory practice that took the Fall 2018 Safety Culture Survey and the Osler Medical Residency has implemented an action plan to improve safety within their work area.
Meeting this goal so efficiently is a point of pride. With more inpatient units and ambulatory practices than any other department, the DOM was particularly challenged by the goal of complete engagement.
After reviewing its survey results last winter, each group devised its own action plan. Some examples include tools to improve hand-offs, respite rooms and designated staff break time and entering updated team Ascom phone numbers in Epic to facilitate MD/RN communication in emergent situations.
Katie Outten, our DOM patient safety officer, deserves commendation for leading the department’s efforts. In scores of meetings, she presented and explained survey results to each group and facilitated design and implementation of plans. Her hard work and leadership ensured our success.
-Steve Berry, Vice Chair for Quality, Safety and Service
