Janeth Vazquez

Liberal, KS – Southwest Medical Center (SWMC) is proud to reaffirm its commitment to achieving Zero Preventable Harm through a strong culture of safety, daily collaboration, and continuous improvement. As a Joint Commission-accredited facility, SWMC upholds the highest standards in patient care and safety.

In December 2024, SWMC partnered with the Kansas Clinical Improvement Collaborative Patient Safety Organization (PSO) through The University of Kansas Health System’s Care Collaborative. This partnership provides valuable resources to support and enhance patient safety efforts and outcomes across all areas of the hospital.

“Our goal is simple but powerful, to eliminate preventable harm,” said Jennifer Smith, Director of Performance Improvement / Risk Management. “We’re working every day to ensure a safe environment for our patients, staff, and community.”

As part of this mission, SWMC educates all staff and providers annually on key areas of patient safety, including:

Preventing medication errors
Preventing patient falls
Preventing hospital-acquired infections
Preventing avoidable errors through proactive protocols and training
Beyond education, specific safety protocols are in place for high-risk situations. For example, when a patient is identified as a high fall risk, SWMC initiates a fall prevention plan that may include bed alarms to alert nurses if the patient attempts to get up without assistance. In addition, every fall is thoroughly reviewed to understand its cause and determine what changes can be made to prevent future incidents.

The hospital also uses technology to ensure patient safety, including tools that confirm patients receive the right medication, in the right dose, at the right time. These safeguards are in place to reduce human error and enhance the accuracy of patient care.

In 2025, SWMC will attest to its compliance with the Patient Safety Structural Measures (PSSM), a public commitment to transparency, safety, and excellence in healthcare.

SWMC also maintains a tiered structure for daily safety huddles, involving team members at every level. These huddles are designed to identify concerns, celebrate successes, and elevate important issues to leadership. This system allows for quick communication and real-time improvements in patient care. Everyone, including Environmental Services staff, participates because every role plays a part in keeping patients safe.

As part of the ongoing Zero Harm campaign, SWMC hosted a celebration and employee appreciation event to highlight the importance of this initiative. The hospital held an Ice Cream and Popcorn Social for staff, where team members gathered to enjoy treats, engage in conversations about safety, and pledge their commitment to Zero Harm. Employees signed their names on a large poster displayed at the hospital as a visible promise to uphold safe practices every day.

“We want this initiative to be more than policy — we want it to be personal,” said Amber Williams, CEO of Southwest Medical Center. “When employees write their name on that pledge board, they are reaffirming their role in protecting every patient who walks through our doors.”

From improved hand hygiene practices to safety-focused education and innovative technology, Southwest Medical Center continues to foster a culture where ZERO Preventable Harm isn’t just a goal, it’s a commitment we celebrate together.

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