SVHC20-21reportpagesJuly27 - Flipbook - Page 11
When the American Nurses Credentialing Center reached out to SVMC to share
news of their fifth Magnet® designation in 2021, they made special note of the
organization’s exceptional nursing safety practices.
“To be identified as ‘exemplar’ in our safety practices was incredibly rewarding to
our entire team, as it reflects an ongoing and concerted effort to provide the safest
possible care to our patients,” says SVHC Director of Quality Paula Seaman.
The commitment to safety was further recognized by the Leapfrog Group, an
independent national watchdog organization, which awarded SVMC an “A” for
hospital safety. Ratings are based on performance in preventing medical errors,
injuries, accidents, infections, and other harms to patients.
“This recognition reflects the culture of safety and high reliability that we have been
actively cultivating at every level,” says Seaman. “Everyone in the organization has
a critical role in creating a safe environment and the outcomes and accolades are
proof that our approach, and every individual, has an impact.”
“ This recognition
reflects the
culture of
safety and
high reliability
that we have
been actively
cultivating at
every level.”
PRIORITIZING SAFETY
A celebrated commitment to safety
– PAULA SEAMAN
SVMC Lab receives national accreditation
Safety by the Numbers
After rigorous review of its equipment, facilities, safety program and record,
staff qualifications and training, and overall management, SVMC’s Lab
was awarded accreditation by the Committee of the College of American
Pathologists. This honor is especially
noteworthy as it was achieved at a time when
hundreds of COVID tests were being handled
weekly on top of the standard workload.
Decrease in serious safety events
over the past year: 77%
DIRECTOR OF QUALITY
Issues revealed in CMS
Infection Review during COVID: 0
Transmissions of COVID from infected
patients to staff: 0
SOUTHWESTERN VERMONT HEALTH CARE ANNUAL REPORT 2022 | 9