Congratulations to these Great Catch winners for modeling HRO safety behaviors and taking action to improve patient safety.
Jillian Blatchley, MRI technologist, Diagnostic Imaging, was recognized for attention to detail, practicing a questioning attitude, speaking up for safety and escalating concerns. An outpatient who arrived for an MRI on their neck was showing signs of mobility issues. The patient’s record showed that the MRI was for stroke follow-up. Blatchley’s “internal smoke detector” prompted her to search the patient’s record for a brain imaging order, which was scheduled for a future date. She coordinated with the patient and rearranged the schedule to conduct the brain imaging at the same time. After spotting an abnormality on the brain exam, Blatchley escalated her concerns to the radiologist, who determined that the patient was experiencing an acute stroke. A code was called and the patient was transported to the Emergency Department.
Katie Barbaro, RN, Saint Raphael Campus Operating Room, was recognized for practicing a questioning attitude, attention to detail and speaking up for safety on behalf of a patient scheduled for spine surgery. Noting that the patient had a cochlear implant, Barbaro questioned the safety of using a specific piece of OR equipment. She validated and verified details of the case with the equipment vendor and the patient’s audiologist, who recommended using an alternative device to ensure the patient’s safety during the procedure.
