Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center celebrates remarkable achievements in patient safety and nursing excellence. The ICU and Medical Telemetry units reached a HAPI-free year, with the Medical-Surgical Unit close behind. This milestone reflects the power of shared governance, staff engagement, and evidence-based practice –  hallmarks of Magnet recognized nursing.

In 2024, Richmond reported 15 hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs), prompting focused action. The ICU, in collaboration with the Unit Practice Council (UPC), implemented targeted HAPI prevention strategies, including enhanced Skin Wednesday: weekly skin assessments with photo documentation, ensuring proper bed surfaces, and consistent use of HAPI prevention devices. Combined with staff diligence, strict adherence to prevention bundles, and leadership support, this initiative enabled ICU and Medical Telemetry to achieve zero HAPI.

To honor staff dedication, the wound champions team hosted the first HAPI Prevention Fair on November 20, coinciding with Worldwide Pressure Injury Prevention Day. The event showcased best practices, prevention tools, and recognized the contributions of nurses, patient care technicians, and unit assistants.

The ICU also demonstrated outstanding performance in infection prevention, with sustained periods without CAUTI (670 days), CLABSI (100 days), C. difficile (416 days), and HAPI (>400 days). These results reflect rigorous surveillance, standardized care bundles, and a culture of safety driven by nursing excellence, multidisciplinary collaboration, education, and competency reinforcement. Transparent reporting, root-cause analysis, and proactive guidance support continuous improvement and staff empowerment.

These achievements have a meaningful impact on patient outcomes, reducing morbidity, enhancing comfort, and improving satisfaction, while also supporting staff engagement and retention. Richmond’s ICU performance demonstrates that with shared governance, structural empowerment, and professional dedication, the goal of Destination Zero is not only achievable but sustainable, setting a benchmark for patient safety and nursing excellence.

Photo: (L-R) Delza Laynes MSN, BSN, RN, Belinda Aspacio BSN, RN, Annabelle Muli BSN, RN, Cherie Buenaflor BSN, RN, Sumit Kaur MSN, BSN, RN, Grace Garcia AND, RN, Amy Dertz BSN, RN, Jenna Liu BSN, RN, and Jean Sebastien-Bisson BSN, RN.