Medical staff at Tripler, Schofield hold Safety Stand-down Day

By Stephanie Rush, Pacific Regional Medical Command Public AffairsMarch 3, 2012

Medical staff at Tripler, Schofield hold Safety Stand-down Day
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – HONOLULU -- Pfc. Gregory Swindell, Department of Radiology, Tripler Army Medical Center, demonstrates the proper way to use a fire extinguisher at the Safety Stand Down Day, Feb. 17, after receiving instruction from Pat Allen, fire inspector, Federal... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Medical staff at Tripler, Schofield hold Safety Stand-down Day
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – HONOLULU -- Angela Sanders (left), fire inspector, Federal Fire Department, hands out goodies to Troop Command Soldiers at the Safety Stand Down Day, Feb. 17. The Federal Fire Department was just one of the many presenters on hand teaching Soldiers, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Medical staff at Tripler, Schofield hold Safety Stand-down Day
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – HONOLULU -- Pfc. Isabela Silva, Department of Nursing, Tripler Army Medical Center, learns first-hand how being intoxicated affects motor skills while attempting to drive a go-kart while wearing "drunk goggles," provided by U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii'... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HONOLULU -- Soldiers and civilian employees at Tripler Army Medical Center and Schofield Barracks, here, met for a Soldier and Patient safety stand-down, Feb. 17.

According to the U.S. Army Medical Department, per the Army's patient safety regulation, patient safety programs are in place at each military medical treatment facility.

The safety stand-down day provided the opportunity to share a wide range of information among all the staff and help augment the safety programs already in place at the MTFs.

Patient safety topics discussed included pharmacy rules and regulations, medication safety, trauma assessment for non-licensed staff, vital signs monitoring and activation of the Rapid Response Team, training on electronic medical record systems, safety event reporting, and other general safety issues such as dealing with an active shooter or infant abduction.

Each topic was presented by an employee or expert in the field, and helped reinforce the safe care each area aspires to provide. When a patient knows the staff treating them are confident and can handle different situations, they feel safer.

"It's important to hold events like this because it allows us to be all on the same page. We know what issues are being experienced and are reminded how important it is to report issues," said Justin Jenks, Red Team Floor Nurse and Triage Nurse, Family Practice, Schofield Barracks Health Clinic. "We are in an atmosphere that seeks to prevent safety issues."

Soldiers weren't left out of the day's events. Starting early in the morning and continuing through the afternoon, Troop Command's companies listened to guest speakers, watched demonstrations and often took the reins themselves, learning first-hand about personal safety such as preventing and stopping fires, the importance of never driving while intoxicated, sexual assault awareness and prevention and how to be safe while enjoying the many outdoor and water-related activities Hawaii offers.

"I really enjoyed the stand-down, especially the fire safety and Army Substance Abuse Program portions," said Spc. Alexis-Michelle Duran, admin clerk, Company A, Troop Command. "The fact that everything was hands-on and we learned exactly how fire extinguishers work was very helpful. The presentation on alcohol was really informative; it taught me a lot of things I didn't know like just how much alcohol is in different types of mixed drinks and why a Long Island iced tea typically affects someone completely differently than a soda mixed with just one type of alcohol."

This was the second patient safety stand-down held at TAMC and SBHC. The event highlighted how seriously safety is taken by members of the facilities' leadership every day of the year.

Related Links:

More photos from Safety Stand-Day Day 2012

Army Substance Abuse Program-Hawaii

Army Safety Center