What does partnering for a healthy future look like?

Think Critically and Creatively About how to Improve Fire Drill Compliance

We developed a Fire Drill Playbook – a guide to plan, schedule, conduct, evaluate, and report-out on our fire drills. Now, we have high confidence in our fire drill process.

Drills are scheduled using the Fire Drill Matrix.

The Predrill Checklist helps organize on the day of the drill.

Drills are evaluated using the new Fire Drill mobile app.

The data is transferred to the Monthly Operations Report and compliance is reported out at the Environment of Care Committee.

Use a Safety Story to Communicate Effectively Without Telling People What to Do

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. On average, healthcare providers clean their hands less than half of the times they should.

The stories we tell ourselves and each other influence our assumptions and our organizational expectations.

Telling a compelling story about the importance of hand hygiene can help employees think for themselves about how they choose to help prevent infections.

Collaboration Between Facilities, Nursing, Compliance, and Safety to Maintain Accessible Emergency Equipment

During a regulatory survey the Fire Marshal cited the organization for several obstructed fire extinguishers, electrical panels, and manual fire alarm pull stations.

This multidisciplinary work group approached the plan of correction by working together with a learning mindset and in a safety culture where candor is encouraged.

Embrace Diversity by Including the Front Line on Issues that Impact the Work

A closed nursing unit was preparing for a renovation in the coming year. The Interior Design firm developed a set of options for paint colors, furniture fabrics, and flooring. Not all flooring types require the same cleaning process and schedule.

The opinions of the EVS team count -- they know what it takes to clean and maintain the various flooring types. Asking for and considering their input leads to more informed decision-making.

Implement Equitable and Inclusive Practices for Employees who Work in the Operating Room (OR)

An employee’s religious beliefs inform them to wear a long skirt when outside of the home. It is also the regulatory standard to wear approved scrub tops and pants while working in the OR environment – this includes while terminal cleaning these spaces.

In this situation, we have the opportunity to equitably treat this employee, and meet the regulatory compliance standards. We just need to be creative.

Advocate Powerfully on Behalf of the Public by Ensuring the Functionality and Safety of Our Healing Spaces

When we see a wet lobby floor we must minimize the risk of a slip and fall with injury. Respond by deploying a wet floor sign, then speak up to have the wet floor cleaned up, and then address the root cause.

This is an opportunity to enable and sustain a culture of safety through a display of leader commitment and prioritization of safety. People do pay attention to where a leader focuses their attention.

Personally and Publicly Recognize Employees for their Efforts and Achievements

During the kitchen tour of a regulatory survey, the Fire Marshal asked one of our cooks about how to respond to a grill fire. Joe demonstrated that he knew how to safely respond to a small or large fire on the grill – when to deploy the hood suppression system and the K-fire extinguisher. Joe excellently demonstrated his fire safety knowledge and awareness.

Our kitchen team members are valuable partners who serve safe, nutritious, and tasty meals -- advancing our mission to create a healthy future. We need them to know their artistry and prioritization of safety is appreciated.