VA San Diego Healthcare System
VASDHS to receive Gold award for patient safety
Bar Code Medical Administration (BCMA) technology
On December 20, VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) was notified that it will receive the Cornerstone Recognition Program’s 2012 Gold Award, the highest standard in the Veterans Health Administration for improving patient safety in a hospital setting. VASDHS is one of 53 VA health care systems nationwide to receive the Gold Award.
“Receiving this award recognizes that patient safety is the highest priority among leadership and staff,” said Sharon De Peralta, patient safety manager for VASDHS.
Various improvements made over the last fiscal year include a system to monitor and report any faulty equipment to protect patient safety, implemented a communication process to prevent falls in high-risk patients and developed a standardized process for managing missing patients.
Veterans Affairs has long been a leader in patient safety, with the implementation of Bar Code Medical Administration (BCMA) technology to prevent medication errors by up to 75% and computerized provider order entry technology (CPOE) which decreases delay in order completion, reduces errors related to handwriting or transcription and allows order entry at the point of care or off-site.
The Cornerstone Recognition Program, sponsored by the VA National Center for Patient Safety, recognizes accomplishments for patient safety at the faculty level, measuring the quantity and quality of its Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Aggregate Reviews. The three levels of achievement- gold, silver and bronze, measure standards of patient safety achieved. To attain higher levels, a health care system must meet all the requirements of the achievement they are on, plus any levels below that. During fiscal year 2012, VASDHS completed 10 RCAs and three Aggregate Reviews.
In total, 125 VA health care systems were recognized with a safety award in 2012. Winners are expected to receive their award by mail in late Feb. 2013.
