As a case was being prepped in the OR, it was discovered that a piece of equipment needed for surgery was not working. The surgeon on the case suggested using an alternative instrument that is not routinely used for the procedure. Unfamiliar with the substitute instrument, Jean brought her concern to Michelle and, after discussing their apprehension over using the instrument with the Nurse Manager, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Quality & Patient Safety Offi cer, an extra safety measure was put in place. The procedure was completed without any complications.

The committee awarded these two nurses the Patient Safety Hero award for speaking out and advocating for a patient’s safety. In the operating room, teamwork is an essential component of safety. One characteristic of a highly functional team is effective communication that allows any member to raise a concern or question and have it heard. In a recent study from the State of Pennsylvania’s Patient Safety Authority, hospitals where the OR team effectively escalates safety concerns are 89 percent less likely to have a wrong-site surgery. Additionally, hospitals where team members feel encouraged to raise safety concerns, and where employees feel that it is easy to ask questions, are 83 percent and 79 percent less likely to have a Universal Protocol failure, respectively.

Both winners were awarded Kindles and Patient Safety Hero certificates. Congratulations Jean and Michelle!