In July 2024, the Medical-Surgical CUSP team, led by Chair Carlyna Deragish, BSN, RN, and Chair of Operations Aleta Ross-Ku, Unit Assistant, launched the “Safety Stop-Sign” initiative. This program aimed to improve the identification of patients with safety risks by using color-coded stop signs placed outside patient rooms. The signs enable all staff members, regardless of role, to quickly recognize specific safety precautions required when entering a patient’s room.
This initiative was a collaborative effort with the Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa (KP SRO) Security team, including the Health Protection Officers, who play a critical role in addressing patient safety needs within the hospital.
The “Safety Stop-Sign” initiative is part of a broader Prevention of Workplace Violence Program at KP SRO, which has evolved significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The program incorporates multiple components:
- APPIH Training (Assessment and Prevention of Patient-Initiated Harm): Tailored for clinical staff to recognize and mitigate potential harm.
- Threat Management Team (TMT): Utilizes a close watch list and Health Connect advisory engagements to monitor high-risk situations.
- Enhanced Safety Stop Signs: Nurse-driven visual cues for patients at risk of elopement, suicide, behavioral concerns, or violence.
- Physical Security Enhancements: Includes Armed Protection Officers, Healthcare Protection Officers, and Emergency Department Weapons Screening.
Since implementing these safety measures, KP SRO has observed improved safety metrics shown by sustained decrease in employee injury rates. Positive Staff Feedback as evidenced by an 8-point increase in staff reporting that their department takes necessary steps to ensure employee and physician safety and a 7-point increase in nursing staff feeling safe working in their department, as measured by People Pulse surveys.
The success of the “Safety Stop-Sign” program has been met with widespread approval from clinical staff. As a testament to their leadership and dedication, Deragish and Ross-Ku were awarded the prestigious “Safety Angel” award for their outstanding contributions to creating a safer environment for staff, patients, and visitors.