For years, airlines, nuclear power plants and other major industries have undergone surveys to assess their focus on safety. Recently, the Women's Center at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (LWRMC) underwent a similar survey and received very high marks for creating and developing a culture that emphasizes patient safety.

"More and more hospitals are embracing the concept of highreliability units because safety is so important in the healthcare setting," says Johanna Pumphrey, RN, BS, Director of Women's Services at LWRMC. "To achieve recognition as a high-reliability unit, hospitals must have specific policies and procedures in place to decrease the risk of injuries and adverse outcomes."

Surveyors from Universal Health Services (UHS), Inc. visited the Women's Center last year to assess the Center's overall efforts to ensure patient safety and its performance improvement efforts designed to continually enhance patient safety. Specifically, they observed aspects of care provided at the Center, met with the Center's leadership, toured the facility, reviewed staff education and competencies and assessed other key areas that affect patient safety.

The Women's Center received the highest marks ever given by the UHS reviewers. The surveyors noted that the Center had the smallest gaps between optimal and existing procedures of any facility reviewed. They noted that the Center:

• Fosters exceptional communication among members of the healthcare team
• Has a highly trained and experienced nursing staff that meets and exceeds key clinical competencies
• Has leaders who develop appropriate safety guidelines and promote a culture of safety
• Has a layout that facilitates safe and efficient care
• Uses evidence-based practices to provide care
• Uses safe and up-to-date equipment
• Encourages staff that provide support services to participate in safety efforts

Johanna Pumphrey, RN, BS, Director of Women's Services

The survey results are good news for the community because they show that patients can be confident that they'll receive high-quality and safe care at the Center.

"High-reliability units don't happen by accident," Pumphrey says. "And we don't view this as a one-time recognition. We use the survey results as a report card or tool that can help us improve our services. We're vigilant about continually updating our practices as needed and looking for opportunities to provide even safer, higher quality care. For example, one way we focus on patient safety is to practice drills to address adverse events, ranging from emergency cesarean sections to abduction attempts, that can harm moms and babies. These practices help staff at The Women's Center provide highquality care to women during every stage of their lives."

How Can You Benefit?
To find out more about the Center, please visit our Web site at www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com

8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202