WellSpan Health announced that for the third year in a row, the health system has been honored as a recipient of an I AM Patient Safety Award from the Patient Safety Authority.

The Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Focus Team at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital were named the winners of the 2022 I AM Patient Safety Executive Director's Choice Award. The multi-disciplinary HAI Focus Team was created to decrease the number of central line associated bloodstream infections, as well as bring zero harm to patient care. Due to their efforts, WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital recently surpassed one year without a central line associated bloodstream infection.

"We have seen great results from the creation of the HAI Focus Team, and this award is a testament to our dedication to safety throughout WellSpan," said Eugenia Powell, vice president of quality and patient safety, WellSpan Health. "We want our patients to know that when they enter a WellSpan facility for treatment, we are committed to not only improving their health, but doing so in a safe environment. Receiving an I AM Patient Safety Award for a third year in a row shows that patient safety is our top priority."

The HAI Focus Team began process observations to identify variations in central line insertion techniques, site selection, daily maintenance and dressing care. They also conduct daily assessments of all current central lines and have developed education for clinicians, as well as an audit process to ensure coaching is available in real time.

Along with having zero central line associated bloodstream infections for more than a year, the team's efforts have also helped result in a 28 percent decrease in overall hospital acquired infections.

"We are proud of the work that the Healthcare Associated Infection Focus Team has done in helping us reduce hospital acquired infections at WellSpan," said Patty Donley, vice president, WellSpan Health, and president, WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital. "The creation of this team and the results it has yielded can give patients at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital peace of mind that when they enter our facility, they will receive safe, high quality health care."

"A central line associated bloodstream infection can be a serious issue for a patient, and it is one that can be prevented with the proper protocols," said Shane Walker, senior director of infection prevention & control, WellSpan Health. "The work that this team has done to improve patient safety has resulted in a safer environment for our patients."

Along with winning the Executive Director's Choice Award, WellSpan Health teams were named runners-up in two other I AM Patient Safety Award categories. The WellSpan Dixon Foundation Health Center Team were named runners-up in the Improving Diagnosis category, and the WellSpan Health Sepsis Team were named runners-up in the Sepsis category.

Winners were selected from nominations submitted by healthcare facilities throughout Pennsylvania, based on their commitment to patient safety, focus on high-level changes and replicability, strong patient safety culture, and the initiative taken by the individual or team.