March 7, 2012 -- When healthcare organizations are transparent about adverse events, they are helping to create an environment that prioritizes patient safety. “Adverse event” is a term used to describe unintended harm (or potential harm) to a patient as a result of medical care. One way that many of Oregon's health care providers are improving patient safety is by reporting adverse events to the Oregon Patient Safety Commission.
That’s why, in honor of Patient Safety Awareness Week, the Commission, with support from The Regence Foundation, is recognizing participants in Oregon's Patient Safety Reporting Program that have exceeded new reporting standards established by the Commission in 2011.
At an awards breakfast on Friday, March 2, the following hospitals and health care organizations were recognized by the Commission as leaders in the state’s Patient Safety Reporting Program:
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Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend and University District, Springfield and Eugene (special recognition for exceptional participation in the reporting program and for engagement in programs to improve safety)
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Rogue Valley Medical Center, Medford (large-sized hospital category)
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Samaritan Albany General Hospital, Albany (medium-sized hospital category)
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Providence Newberg Medical Center, Newberg (small-sized hospital category)
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Marquis Mt. Tabor, Portland (nursing home category)
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Oregon SurgiCenter, Springfield (ambulatory surgery center category)
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River Road Surgery Center, Salem (ambulatory surgery center category)
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Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center Pharmacies, Washington and Yamhill Counties (pharmacy category)
“These organizations are among the best of the best when it comes to patient safety reporting in Oregon,” said Bethany Higgins, executive director of the Oregon Patient Safety Commission. “To be clear, this doesn’t mean these organizations have more adverse events than others in Oregon. It means they are the most diligent when it comes to reporting. Every health care organization experiences adverse events. What we’re acknowledging here are organizations that respond to adverse events by learning about what happened and working to prevent the event from happening again.”
