Kerry Johnson, nationally known for his work in patient safety and high reliability, spoke at two “Safe-ty Starts with Me” training ses-sions for managers in October. Johnson is chief innovation offi-cer of Healthcare Performance Im-provement (HPI), consultants in the field of high reliability.

HHC is partnering with HPI and the CT Hospital Association to be-come a High Reliability Organiza-tion (HRO), an organization that has succeeded in avoiding catas-trophes in an environment where normal accidents can be expected due to risk factors and complexity.

“Healthcare historically has fo-cused on traditional process im-provement as a means to better outcomes,” Johnson said. “In con-trast, high reliability organizations

– such as nuclear power and avi-ation – recognize that optimiz-ing outcomes requires a concur-rent focus on human behavior accountability. Our approach fo-cuses on preventing human er-rors and detecting and correcting system weaknesses that can lead to events of harm and unwanted outcomes.”

All Hartford HealthCare staff members will be required to take the “Safety Starts With Me” train-ing before Sept. 30, 2014 as part of their HealthStream educational requirements.

During this training, staff will learn about high reliability and the reduction of harm, as we look at how to identify gaps and holes in our process that may lead to harm, how we address these, and how we

can sustain safety gains through changes in how we act, hold our-selves accountable, and put behav-iors in place to ensure that we can prevent harm.

RxTraA publication for the staff of Hartford Hospital October 28, 2013 Vol. 69 No. 40

‘High Reliability’ Training Mandatory for 2014

We have experienced difficulty in getting delivery of our full supply of flu vaccine, but it will not affect most staff members.

Employed staff and all bedside staff (who have not received exemptions) must receive a flu shot by Nov. 8 as planned. Nothing has changed for these indi-viduals; we will provide free flu shots to them.

For now, we will NOT provide flu shots to non-em-ployed individuals, including students, volunteers and licensed independent practitioners – except those who provide bedside care.

Flu shot clinics will be held for employed staff and all bedside staff in Occupational Health Services in the basement of the Brownstone Building on the Hartford Hospital campus weekdays from now un-til Nov. 8. Make sure to bring your ID badge with you.

Monday, Oct. 28 7-8 a.m. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 29 7-8 a.m. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. 2:30-4 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct 30 7-8 a.m. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. 2:30-4 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 31 7-8 a.m. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. 3-5 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 1 7-8 a.m. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 4 7-8 a.m. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 5 7-8 a.m. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. 2:30-4 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 6 7-8 a.m. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. 3-5 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 7 7-8 a.m. 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

3-4 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 8 7-8 a.m. 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

2:30-3:30 p.m.

Flu Shot Clinics Held In Occupational Health

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The Surgical Weight Loss Center held its third Annual Patient Re-union on Oct. 22 in Heublein Hall.

More than 125 patients, staff and guests shared in the celebration along with staff from across the program.

Under the direction of Drs. Darren Tishler and Pavlos Papasavas, the

Center has p e r f o r m e d nearly 3,000 s u r g e r i e s over the past seven years.

T h e s e 3,000 pa-tients have a c h i e v e d a total weight loss of 171,000 pounds.

The staff at our cen-ter consid-er weight loss of more than 30% of preoperative weight a good result for patients.

Our Surgical Weight Loss Center is

accredited as a “Center of Excel-lence” by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, which indicates safe surgical care and excellent outcomes.

Surgical Weight Loss Center Holds Patient Reunion

Compliance Questions or

Concerns?If you need to obtain information about compliance issues or raise concerns regarding internal and

regulatory practices or policies, please contact your

supervisor or call the ComplianceLine, a confidential and toll-free service, at

1-855-HHC-OCAP or online at

HHC.OCAPComplianceLine.com

Hartford HealthCare was represented by a team at the Greater Connecti-cut 2013 Walk from Obe-sity in Bristol on Sept. 21. Walkers raised more than $13,000 this year to benefit the fight against obesity.

The HHC team was made up of staff members from the bariatric programs from throughout the sys-tem, which provide weight loss sur-gery for patients.

Bariatric program coordinators Paula O’Neil and Sally Strange led the group.

HHC Team Participates in Walk From Obesity

Drs. Darren Tishler (left) and Pavlos Papasavas

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Happening at Hartford Hospital

Questions or comments about RxTra? Contact editor Annie Emanuelli at annie.emanuelli@hhchealth.org or 860-972-2199

Benefits Open Enroll-ment Fairs Oct. 28-30Benefits open enrollment is Nov. 4-15. Every employee who wants benefits (or wishes to waive benefits for 2014) MUST take action during Open Enrollment. If you do not enroll, your current medical, dental, vision and FSA coverage will be cancelled on Dec. 31. Come to one of the Open Enrollment Fairs to learn more:

• Monday, Oct. 28: 9-11 a.m., IOL, Hartford Room 1-5 p.m., HH Cafeteria

• Tuesday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Newington, 5th floor connector

• Wednesday, Oct. 30, 7-11 a.m., HH Cafeteria

Retirement Reception For Alan Laites Oct. 29

There will be a retire-ment tea for Alan Laites, executive director of Jef-ferson House and Ce-dar Mountain Commons for the past 28 years, on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from

2:30-4 p.m. in the Laurel Room at Jeffer-son House.

Newington Flu ClinicThe Newington Cam-pus Flu Shot Clinic will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 8 a.m.-Noon in the Gymnasium. Bring your ID badge and dress accordingly.

New Employee Health Screenings AddedDon’t miss out on your opportunity to save up to $600 on your 2014 health in-surance. We have added these conve-nient, last-minute walk-in screenings:

October 28-November 1 (Mon.-Fri.)7:30-9 a.m. Hartford Hospital Cafeteria October 30 (Wednesday)7-11 a.m. during Benefits Fair, HH Caf OR 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., IOL Cafeteria

For complete information, please visit our HHC & Me website.

Olin Center 10th Anniver-sary/Annex Opening

On Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 3-4 p.m., employees are invited to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Olin Center at the IOL, and opening of the Olin Center Annex. Remarks and refreshments will be in the Staunton Williams Auditorium followed by a ribbon cutting at the Olin Center. For more information, contact Nadia Woodman at 860-545-2161 or na-dia.woodman@hhchealth.org.

Trauma After-Care Gathering For BereavedThe Trauma After-Care Program is spon-soring its Annual Gathering, where be-reaved families, volunteers, and hospital staff come together to learn about grief and bereavement. It will be held on Sun-day, Nov. 3 from 2-4 p.m. at the Glaston-bury Riverfront Community Center. Space is limited and pre-registration is required by Oct. 28. Please RSVP to Heide Weise at heide.weise@hhchealth.org or call 860-972-5418.

Healthy Living With DiabetesThe Annual Healthy Living With Dia-betes symposium will be held Satur-day, Nov. 2 in the ERC. To register, go to: http://www.harthosp.org/event/527

Join the Zombie Chase

Come join sponsors from Helen & Har-ry Gray Cancer Center for the Zombie Chase to benefit the Ron Foley Pancre-atic Cancer Foundation, Inc. on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 10 a.m. at the MDC Reservoir in West Hartford. Come dressed to be chased or be the chaser, and run this 5K as a human or as a Zombie. Human race starts at 10 a.m. Zombies start at 10:02 a.m. – hence The Zombie Chase! Regis-tration information, fees and deadlines can be found at http://www.hartford-marathon.com/Events/Zombie_Chase/Registration.htm

Dementia Support GroupA dementia education-al and support group will meet Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the IOL Staunton Williams-Clark Social Room. The group brings together experts and those who want guidance, direction and support through this journey. You are invited to bring your own lunch.

Meet the Epilepsy Center Team in the LobbyThe Comprehensive Epilepsy Center team will be in the Hartford Hospital lobby on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. celebrating the beginning of Epilepsy Awareness Month. Learn more about epilepsy, meet our epilepsy doctors, and win prizes.