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In the last two decades, patient safety has become a pressing national priority. At Wayne Memorial Hospital, patient safety is at the forefront of everything we do, everyday. Whether it’s how we hire and orient new employees, review credentials for doctors or set strategic direction for the hospital, we are always mindful of how our decisions will impact patient safety.

      In the last six years, we have “put our money where our mouth is.” We have invested more than $10 million in capital funds to help assure patient safety and accountability through the purchase of new technology and the implementation of revised standards and procedures. Our Patient Safety Committee regularly and personally visits every department to review issues and procedures with staff. We care about our patients and their safety. 

      Hospitals should be safe places. After all, they have staff around the clock hired precisely to “take care” of you. Equipment designed to save your life is just down the hall. Medicine to relieve your pain is within arm’s reach. Yet, mistakes do occur. In 1999, a much-quoted Institute of Medicine’s study reported that up to 98,000 deaths occur each year in hospitals as a result of clinical errors. In April of 2007, HealthGrades, an independent healthcare ratings company, found that almost 250,000 deaths in the country’s hospitals were “potentially preventable” and cost hospitals roughly $8.6 billion between 2003 and 2005.

      The real tragedy is that many of these errors are truly preventable. Hence, it is important that hospitals put systems in place to reduce the likelihood of errors. Our hospital has embraced national patient safety goals set by respected organizations such as The Joint Commission. We continue to invest in state-of-the art equipment to provide patient caregivers (physicians, nurses and others) with the right tools to make sure the right patient is receiving the right care and the right medicine at the right time.