Ashtabula County Medical Center | ACMC Pulse | Winter 2018

ACMC Pulse  • acmchealth.org 7 The Joint Commission It is that attention to patient safety through gold- standard protocols that garnered praise from The Joint Commission surveyors who recently visited ACMC for the hospital’s triennial accreditation survey. During daily meetings, surveyors said they were impressed with specific protocols they witnessed in action. The surveyors suggested that ACMC share those protocols with the Leading Practice Library, a resource that can be accessed by hospitals nationwide who are in search of ways to improve processes and elevate the care provided to patients. Surveyors noted patient safety items such as: + + A specific tagging system to show surgical equip- ment is clean and ready for use. + + The ability to track specific medical instruments and implants used on a patient, in case of a manufacturer safety first recall after the surgery is completed. + + A swallowing test administered to all patients prior to oral medications being prescribed. + + A methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) culture test done on all ICU patients as they are admitted. Surveyors noted that ACMC’s culture of safety was evident when a nurse extended a presurgery safety check because she did not believe every team member was 100 percent ready to begin. “ACMC’s culture of safety is systemic. We focus on the resources needed for the community, and we follow the nationally recommended, best-practice protocols to keep patients safe,” Habowski said. “The recent accolades and honors speak volumes about the dedication of our caregivers to keep each and every patient safe at ACMC.”