Vazquez, Janeth
Southwest Medical Center (SWMC), located in Liberal, Kansas, is pleased to restate its dedication to attaining Zero Preventable Harm with a robust safety culture, everyday teamwork, and ongoing development. SWMC maintains the highest standards for patient care and safety as a Joint Commission-accredited facility.
Through the Care Collaborative at The University of Kansas Health System, SWMC collaborated with the Kansas Clinical Improvement Collaborative Patient Safety Organization (PSO) in December 2024. Through this collaboration, important resources are made available to support and improve patient safety initiatives and results throughout the hospital.
Eliminating avoidable injury is our straightforward but effective goal, stated Jennifer Smith, Director of Performance Improvement / Risk Management. Our daily efforts are focused on creating a secure environment for our community, employees, and patients.
In order to fulfill this goal, SWMC yearly trains all employees and clinicians in important patient safety topics, such as:
Avoiding pharmaceutical mistakesKeeping patients from fallingPreventing illnesses acquired in hospitalsPreventing preventable mistakes with proactive procedures and instructionIn addition to education, there are particular safety procedures for high-risk circumstances. For instance, SWMC starts a fall prevention plan when a patient is determined to be at high risk of falling, which may involve bed alarms to notify nurses if the patient tries to get up on their own. Every fall is also carefully examined to identify its cause and identify any adjustments that can be done to stop such events in the future.
Additionally, the hospital employs technology to guarantee patient safety, such as instruments that verify patients are given the appropriate drug at the appropriate time in the appropriate dosage. The purpose of these measures is to improve patient care accuracy and decrease human error.
SWMC will certify in 2025 that it complies with the Patient Safety Structural Measures (PSSM), which is a public pledge to excellence, safety, and transparency in healthcare.
Every team member participates in the daily safety huddles, which are conducted according to a tiered framework maintained by SWMC. The purpose of these huddles is to raise significant issues with leadership, address concerns, and recognize accomplishments. Rapid communication and real-time patient care enhancements are made possible by this system. Because every function contributes to patient safety, everyone participates, including Environmental Services employees.
To emphasize the significance of the ongoing Zero Harm program, SWMC threw a celebration and employee appreciation event. Staff members came together for an Ice Cream and Popcorn Social hosted by the hospital to share refreshments, discuss safety, and make a commitment to Zero Harm. On a giant poster that was put up at the hospital, staff members wrote their names as a visible pledge to follow safe procedures each and every day.
Southwest Medical Center CEO Amber Williams stated, “We want this initiative to be more than just policy; we want it to be personal.” Employees are confirming their commitment to safeguarding each and every patient that enters our facility as they sign their names on our pledge board.
Through enhanced hand hygiene procedures, safety-oriented instruction, and cutting-edge technology, Southwest Medical Center keeps promoting a culture in which ZERO Preventable Harm is not only an objective but a shared commitment.
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