On behalf of the Patient Safety Awareness Week planning team, in partnership with Family Advisory Council, we would like to recognize the Emergency Department (ED) team with the 2022 Excellence in Patient Safety Award. This award recognizes team members who show an exceptional commitment to safety aligned with our Nicklaus Children's Health System strategic priorities.
The ED team identified a risk in the Code Blue response process. Due to the size and weight of the crash cart, maneuvering the equipment presented challenges. Staff reported: Difficulty making close corner turns; unsecured items falling during movement; safety hazards such as tripping over loose cables; finger injuries; foot injuries; wheels and handles becoming loose during movement of the cart over uneven terrain; and exhaustion after maneuvering the cart.
The team evaluated the equipment necessary, and utilized the “plan, do, study, act” (PDSA) structured problem-solving approach to test changes. They tested and ultimately implemented a new process using a resuscitation bag and a more agile transport stretcher. The results demonstrated a 50% decrease in response time in our Code Blue process, which allows the team to reach care for patients more efficiently while reducing the risk for employee injuries.
Congratulations to the ED team! Thank you for your efforts in promoting a culture of Patient Safety.
About Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Where Children Matter Most (2024)
Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South
Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with approximately
850 attending physicians, including more than 500 pediatric subspecialists. The 307-bed
hospital is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs
routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The
hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern
United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing
Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession’s most prestigious institutional
honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org.