Patient Safety Coordinator

Overview

Provides organization direction oversight and support as required to a wide range of quality improvement related activities. Acts as the system administrator and database manager for the hospital's patient safety event management (PSE) system. Works with clinicians, administrators and leadership within the hospital to implement and sustain a system for process improvement that supports the reduction of medical errors and other factors that contribute to unintended adverse patient outcomes.

Fosters a just culture of safety through HRO education, accreditation readiness, continuous quality improvement and systems improvement based on data analysis. Responds to patient inquiries including compliments, concerns and complaints. Conducts investigations as needed; logs, tracks and documents through resolution. These functions are coordinated with the department head and are performed in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and Med Star Health's philosophy, policies, procedures and standards.

• Reviews all patient safety events in the PSEMS database for dissemination of safety‑related issues to the appropriate clinical departments/outpatient clinics. Uses critical thinking and analysis to actively review each occurrence for potential harm to patients and institution. Investigates occurrences reported in the PSEMS database for identification of trends and recommends/facilitates change within the organization to improve patient safety based on identified risks.
  
  Analyzes, prepares designs and presents statistical reports on quality/patient safety initiatives on requested subjects to senior leadership and other departmental leaders as requested by the Medical Director of Quality & Safety or executive leadership. Extracts and analyzes safety data from the hospital's PSEMS database for reporting in board report presentations to effectively evaluate the institution's culture of safety.
• Serves as the institution's system/database manager and resource for the hospital's Patient Safety Event Management System (PSEMS/Safety Net). Accurately maintains the data and data entry in the PSEMS database. Maintains a working knowledge of the PSEMS database and all associated applications. Supports and encourages error reporting throughout the organization and ensures that information about patient safety is disseminated appropriately throughout the institution.
• Functions as a member of the Quality & Safety team in collaboration with Risk Management in facilitating the examination of critical incidents and sentinel events as directed by senior leadership. Prepares in‑depth analysis of events and reports to senior leadership based on findings. Acts as a resource to all medical and hospital staff on issues relating to quality improvement, patient safety and accreditation/regulatory standards.
  
  Conducts research of literature pertinent to quality improvement and patient safety activities in support of enhancement initiatives as needed.
• Identifies quality improvement opportunities; initiates appropriate problem‑definition process, analysis, data collection and analysis and reporting. Collaborates on the development of policies and procedures effecting organizational safety.
• Serves as a point person with internal and external clients for quality improvement and patient safety related activities. Organizes and facilitates multidisciplinary work groups to effect systematic resolution of quality and patient safety related issues. Facilitates process improvement initiatives by using problem‑solving methodology Event Reviews (formerly known as Root Cause Analysis or RCA) and/or Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• Investigates and manages RLS Feedback files including complaints, grievances, compliments and suggestions within CMS time parameters.
• Responsible for working knowledge and interpretation of regulatory requirements such as CMS Conditions of Participation, Joint Commission Standards and various specialty accreditation requirements related to patient safety and patient rights and responsibilities.
• Performs administrative duties related to department daily operations.
• Performs…