Epic Acuity is the patient classification tool utilized by Kaiser Permanente, and each year it’s validated through a two-week process of frontline nurse surveys. Each local Epic Acuity Committee includes a manager and clinical nurse liaisons representing every service line, the aim is to ensure this validation drives assignment making and safe staffing of every unit.

This year at KP Santa Rosa, the challenge was set, to increase the number of completed surveys by 5% from the previous year and encourage all frontline nurses to complete a survey for every patient, every shift. To make it fun, the team turned the validation process into a friendly competition: “A Race to Validation!”

Each nurse submitted a test survey and voted for the car that would represent their unit in the race — some examples included Lightning McQueen, MarioKart, and even a Spongebob mobile. A themed “Pit Stop” cart, designed by the Committee, made its way around the hospital twice a day, stocked with energy drinks, coffee, and high-protein snacks to keep our “drivers” fueled and motivated. Units raced against each other to achieve the highest percentage of completed surveys compared to their Average Daily Census.

The results were remarkable, 2,568 surveys completed compared to just 816 the previous year. KP Santa Rosa more than tripled its previous total and reached an incredible 299% of the regional goal, earning the title of “Most Improved.”

The Epic Acuity “Race to Validation” was a huge success, bringing teamwork, engagement, and fun to the process of validating our patient classification tool. It was a perfect example of how collaboration and creativity drive excellence at KP Santa Rosa!