Patient safety... it's a top priority at Seven Rivers Regional. Our hospital and health care professionals work diligently to provide patients the best and safest care possible. We have a culture built around safety that includes data submission and evaluation, process review and planning and when appropriate, the use of technology to help remove the possibility of human error.

The program is comprised of these major components.

• Risk Assessment and Evaluation based on severity-adjusted events and claims categorized into focus categories
• Patient Safety Scorecards
• Safety Education Program
• Key Event Process

 

HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award

HealthGrades, a leading independent healthcare ratings company, named Seven Rivers Regional one of the safest hospitals in the nation in 2010.

• Ranked among the Top 5% in the Nation for Patient Safety
• One of only 238 hospitals in the nation to receive award
• One of only 15 hospital in Florida to receive award

Patient Safety Excellence Award™ recipients identified by HealthGrades; top-performing hospitals have 42.6% lower risk of experiencing one or more patient safety events compared with poorest performers, according to seventh annual study.

View Seven Rivers Regional's Patient Safety Ratings on HealthGrades
Learn more about the methodology used to determine ratings
Frequently Asked Questions
Patient Safety in American Hospitals Study

Our Focus on Patient Safety

Seven Rivers Regional has been focused on improving patient safety measures for many years. We have numerous systems in place as well as initiatives. Below is just a small sampling:

• IntelliDOT System - The system provides verification of medication administration, correct patient, medication, dosage time and route. This is accomplished by scanning the bar code on the nurse’s name badge, on the patient’s wrist band and of the medication.
• Fall Prevention Program - The program includes assessment protocols, communication strategies, fall risk assessment tool and appropriate intervention plans. For example, those with high risk would be identified by a green sticker on their door, green slippers and a green blanket placed on their bed.
• Five Million Lives Campaign - A national voluntary initiative to protect patients from five million incidents of medical harm over a specific two year period. This program grew from the previously successful 100,000 Lives Campaign. Seven Rivers Regional implemented Rapid Response Teams among other programs. In the event of an unstable or rapidly deteriorating patient, outside of the ED or Surgery, the floor nurse can call the Rapid Response Team to assist with the assessment and stabilization of the patient.  Our goal is to help improve overall mortality and survival rates through early intervention.
• Patient ID Policy – A policy established where each patient is asked a series of questions before any procedure is performed to verify that the correct patient is receiving the ordered medication or treatment.
• Core Measures Performance Improvement Team - Monitored through the Outcomes Committee and chaired by a physician director. Data is analyzed monthly at the physician practitioner level. The chair then conducts individualized and specific physician education on measures such as prophylactic antibiotic guidelines to surgeons.
• FMQAI 8th Statement of Work (2008) - Partner with Florida Medical Quality Assurance, Inc. as a Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for projects on heart disease, pneumonia and surgical site infections, to name a few. Received a Performance Achievement Award for Hospital Quality Improvement in Pneumonia and Surgical Care Improvement (see news release).

Your Role in Patient Safety

Research has shown that the best way to prevent medical errors is for patients and families to take an active part in their medical care.  As the patient, you also play an important role in safe care. Please assist us by following these simple tips.
 

1. Ask for information about your condition from your physician or nurse. Patient information in the form of brochures or videos is often available.
2. Write down important facts your physician tells you.
3. Read all medical forms and make sure you understand them before you sign anything. If you don’t understand, ask your physician or nurse to explain them.
4. Give us complete and correct information about your health history, personal habits (such as alcohol or smoking), diet and medications you are taking (including dosage).
5. Tell your medical team about any allergies, side effects or problems you have had with medications in the past or a recurrently experiencing. Know what medications you take and why you take them.
6. Speak up if you have questions or concerns about your care. If you don’t understand something, ask. It’s your body and you have a right to know. Ask a family member or friend to speak for you if you are not able to speak for yourself.
7. To prevent the spread of infection, feel free to ask health care team members if they have washed their hands before they provide care to you. Good hand washing is still the best way to prevent the spread of germs.
8. To prevent falls, let us help you out of bed until we know you are steady on your feet. Always call your nurse if you are unsure about your ability to get out of bed.
9. Be sure you know what to expect when you go home and know what to report to your doctor.
10. Just prior to discharge, you will receive a Medication Record. We encourage you to complete this record once you are home and to update it as your medications change. Keep it with you at all times, as it will assist us and other health care professionals in your future care.