In 2024, the Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Team achieved a significant milestone in patient safety by standardizing education for clinical nurses across Medical-Surgical and Telemetry units. Led by Pamela Pilotin, MSN, RN, CPHQ, CNS, Jessica Panlasigui, BSN, RN, and Ronelle Winch, BSN, RN, (pictured above), the team launched a mandatory two-day Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Day. This initiative directly addressed insights from the Clinical Nurses’ Learning Needs Assessment and the increased falls with injury rate at the start of the year. The curriculum included assessing fall risks, implementing evidence-based interventions, and using technological tools to enhance prevention efforts, ensuring nurses had the knowledge and skills to improve patient safety.
As a result of this standardized education, the Medical-Surgical and Medical-Telemetry units saw a measurable decrease in falls with injury rates per 1,000 patient days. By aligning with SSF’s 2024-2026 Nursing Strategic Plan, this initiative enhanced clinical competencies and demonstrated the power of standardized professional development in driving meaningful quality improvements.