This month’s Quality Corner article is dedicated to recognizing the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) Healthcare Quality Week that was held October 16-22. This annual week-long event is hosted by NAHQ as an opportunity for hospitals and healthcare organizations to recognize the contributions, dedication and value of the quality professional role. The SDAHO Quality Integration team celebrated with our member hospital quality staff by providing e-blasts on free NAHQ webinars, daily drawings for $25 Amazon gift cards, and social media posts focused on quality. Every critical access hospital across the state received a complimentary Glo Germ kit courtesy of the South Dakota Flex grant. A Glo Germ Kit is an integrative tool that demonstrates the effectiveness of handwashing, surface cleaning, hygiene and containment techniques and is a wonderful teaching tool.
During this same week of October 16- 22, some member hospitals celebrated Infection Prevention week. One member hospital was Huron Regional Medical Center. (HRMC). HRMC provided us with a recap of how they celebrated which included various games to engage staff. Examples of games included “Spot the Problem” where an unoccupied patient room was set up with a mannequin, patient care equipment, materials, and other objects. The ‘patients’ room displayed numerous infection control issues that staff needed to identify. The employee with the most correct answers won a prize. Another game was “Masked Germ Busters”, where employees were asked to identify and match the correct coworker’s pictures (disguised in a mask and face shield), with their correct name. The only identifying characteristic visible are their eyes! The employee with the most correct matches, received a prize. Thank you to Kelsey Conatser, RN, Infection Preventionist/Employee Health at HRMC for providing these fun ideas.
We are looking forward to celebrating Healthcare Quality Week and Infection Prevention Week with you next year, the dates are October 15-23.
