Alliance Bank in Sulphur Springs

Observing National “Patient Safety Week” at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital

Kari Draper, Quality/Safety Director at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, Sulphur Springs

Kari Draper wears a number of hats in her job as Director of Quality and Safety at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs, and her support team members make able assistants in the endeavor. In fact, Kari is Director of Quality, Risk Management, Safety and Accreditation. Although the highest standards of patient safety are observed every day, Kari shared with KSST News about the local observance of National Patient Safety Week, and stressed how her team takes pride in constant observation of patient safety. Her team also serves in these capacities for CHRISTUS clinics in Sulphur Springs, the Winnsboro CHRISTUS Hospital and Clinics, and the Emory CHRISTUS Clinic. Kari proudly reported that the facilities are also “Joint Commission Accredited” which denotes achievement of a national accreditation, which goes above and beyond required federal guidelines of safety and quality. Kari stated “We focus on behaviors that drive nursing quality and ensure nursing excellence for patients. Our team works within a framework of patient care strategies designed for delivering competent, safe and quality care”. These strategies include:

Hourly Rounding Associates check in on the patient on an hourly basis to assess patient needs.

Bedside Shift Report Associates complete their shift report at the bedside,  and include the patient

Pain Management Bedside Associates assess for management of pain goal and ensuring prompt recognition of that goal on white board in the room

Patient Care Huddles Members of the care team meet at the beginning of each shift to ensure communication and teamwork

Handwashing Associates follow safe hand hygiene practices before and after providing patient care, ensuring patient safety

Rounding on Patients by Leadership Feedback is gathered about call light response, pain medication and hourly rounding by staff

Discharge Phone Calls Staff member makes follow-up phone calls to patients after discharge to provide follow up for potential care needs

Serving along with Kari on the team are Ben Pegues as Co-ordinator of Infection Control, Cheyenne McClung as Accreditation Co-ordinator and Jodee Miller as Quality Co-ordinator. Kari serves as Patient Safety and as Risk Management Co-ordinator. In closing, she stated “the passion for excellent care that our team displays is in line with the mission of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, ‘to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ”.

Author: Enola Gay

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