1st SOMDG recognizes National Patient Safety Awareness Week

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Krystal M. Garrett
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  During the week of March 13-19, the 1st Special Operations Medical Group recognized National Patient Safety Awareness Week.

“National Patient Safety Awareness Week is an annual education and awareness campaign for health care safety led by the National Patient Safety Foundation,” said Margaret Wagner, patient safety manager with the 1st SOMDG. “Each year, health care organizations around the globe take part in the event by prominently displaying the NPSF campaign logo and promotional materials within their organizations, creating awareness in the community, and utilizing NPSF educational resources among hospital staff and patients.”

National Patient Safety Awareness Week educates health care providers as well as patients on ways to create a healthy environment free of harm.

“This is a Department of Defense wide program that has been recognized by Air Commandos since 2002,” Wagner said.

Throughout the week Airmen from the 1st SOMDG participated in training exercises to enhance their patient safety skills. During one of these exercises, the ‘Room of Blunders,’ a clinic room was set up for Airmen to identify safety hazards. Airmen had the task of finding discrepancies to test their patient care safety knowledge.

“We don’t just recognize patient safety during this week,” said Lt. Col. Amy Parker, chief of medical staff with the 1st SOMDG. “Our clinic uses the Team [Strategies & Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety] concept to formally integrate safety in patient care every day. It involves daily briefs, as well as an emphasis on team work and communication stemming from all ranks and levels.”

Parker stated that patients should always be provided safe healthcare.

“Striving to deliver safe patient care at all times is the goal,” Parker said. “NPSW is a reminder for patients to be key players in their healthcare, and is an opportunity to emphasize that patients should be at the forefront whenever engaging in patient care.”

In 2015 the 1st SOMDG Patient Safety Program won the Air Force and Air Force Special Operations Command Medical Services award for Best Ambulatory Clinic Patient Safety Program.

“Delivery of safe patient care, consistently and reliably, is the top priority for the Hurlburt Clinic,” said Parker. “National Patient Safety Week is an opportunity to formally recognize the importance of patient safety and the roles each of us play in it. Safety is a team effort and should include both patients and clinical staff.”