Phelps Health Recognizes Patient Safety Awareness Week: “Team Up for Patient Safety”

ROLLA, Mo. – In recognition of Patient Safety Awareness Week, Phelps Health is launching a week-long campaign themed “Team Up for Patient Safety” to highlight the shared responsibility of keeping patients and care teams safe across all healthcare settings.
Observed from March 8-14, Patient Safety Awareness Week, spearheaded by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), is an annual opportunity for healthcare organizations, providers, patients and families to reflect on progress, learn from one another and recommit to actions that reduce preventable harm. This year’s campaign, developed by the Center for Patient Safety, emphasizes the foundation of safer care: collaboration within care teams, between organizations, and with patients and families.
“Patient safety is not a solo effort,” said Linde Merrow, associate vice president of quality at Phelps Health. “When we bring together clinicians, support staff, leadership, patients and families, we create stronger systems and safer environments. Our ‘Team Up for Patient Safety’ campaign is about turning that belief into daily practice.”
The “Team Up for Patient Safety” campaign encourages organizations to adapt activities to their own culture, patient populations, and care settings. Whether in hospitals, EMS agencies, long‑term care, clinics, or other environments, all processes should keep the focus on collaboration, open communication, and learning.
“Every conversation, every checklist, every shared story about a close call or a success helps us move closer to the safest care possible,” Merrow added. “This week is about building habits and relationships that last far beyond these 7 days.”
 
For more information about Patient Safety Awareness Week, the “Team Up for Patient Safety” campaign, and how you or your organization can get involved, please visit www.ihi.org/partner/initiatives/patient-safety-awareness-week.
About Phelps Health
Phelps Health serves over 200,000 residents in south-central Missouri. Phelps Health is county-owned, non-tax supported and overseen by a five-member elected board. Phelps Health employs more than 1,900 people, including 100-plus providers. Phelps Health, which includes a hospital licensed for 240 patient beds, serves a six-county area, with its main campus and several clinics in Rolla, Missouri. Phelps Health also has clinics in Salem, St. James, Vienna and Waynesville, Missouri. For more information, visit phelpshealth.org.