St. Bernards Medical Center, Jonesboro, has been selected to receive the 2008 American Data Network Quality Grant according to President and CEO, Malcolm “Cole” Williamson. The five thousand dollar grant has been awarded in support of St. Bernards’ educational efforts through the development of a National Patient Safety Goal lab.
The National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) were implemented in 2003 by the Joint Commission, an organization which evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. The NPSGs were established to help organizations focus attention on a series of specific actions that lead to medical mistakes. These goals, updated yearly, are modeled after evidenced-based practices and have become pivotal in promoting and enforcing major changes in patient safety.
The grant supports St. Bernards’ development of a Patient Safety Lab, designed to complement their annual patient care and competency program. In an effort to improve the educational process and yearly competency evaluations of over 800 nursing professionals, St. Bernards revised their program to focus on the NPSGs and offer hands-on experience in crisis intervention. Through the use of a crisis manikin, St. Bernards’ staff will be able to simulate varying conditions, recognize warning signs of impending danger, and return-demonstrate life-saving skills.
“At St. Bernards, we are dedicated to maintaining quality and integrity in the care we provide”, Ben Owens, President, said “and receiving this grant from American Data Network will allow us to continue with our educational efforts focused on patient safety. We are proud to be chosen and I applaud our team on developing an outstanding program worthy of selection.”
