WellSpan’s award-winning care has once again been recognized by the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP). The health system received the “In Safe Hands” 2023 HAP Achievement Award for a systemwide implementation of real-time problem solving, known as Lean, to address patient safety.
WellSpan’s organizational emphasis on providing high-quality, safe care led to a 45% reduction in what are considered “serious events” from WellSpan’s fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2022. That same time period also saw a 97% increase in safety event reporting to address issues as they arise.
“To achieve these sorts of improvements in such a short time is a monumental step for any health system, but to do so during the global COVID-19 pandemic shows the care and thought these team members have put in to making these aspirations a reality,” said Dr. Michael Seim, senior vice president and chief quality officer, WellSpan Health. “Deploying these problem-solving techniques on the front lines of clinical care and sharing these learnings and insights across the system has advanced the organization’s mission to be a trusted partner to our patients, so that they always feel safe when in our care.”
WellSpan has put significant organizational emphasis on this innovative thinking, implementing WellSpan’s Lean Management System during the pandemic to help all 20,000 team members take an active role in finding a better way to address issues as they arise. The initiative internally is known as “Zero Harm,” cultivating a culture of psychological safety. The system makes use of data to drive change, escalation protocols for team members to speak up when they see an issue, and in turn expand our capabilities to delivery exceptional care and positive experiences for our patients.
“WellSpan’s quality and safety team as well as our performance improvement team are committed to continuous improvement in this important work,” added Seim. “We have seen the results and we know these initiatives are making a difference for our patients.”
To learn more about HAP’s Awards, visit www.HAPOnline.org.
To learn more about WellSpan’s quality and safety initiatives, visit www.WellSpan.org/Quality.
