VA Loma Linda Honored for Patient Safety

The VA Loma Linda Healthcare System was recently recognized as a gold-level healthcare system by VA's National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) for 2013 as part of VA's Cornerstone Recognition Program. NCPS initiated the Cornerstone Recognition Program in 2008 to recognize VA leaders in patient safety and to enhance the root cause analyses (RCA) process. RCAs are inquiries into patient safety concerns aimed to prevent unsafe healthcare practices. Gold, Silver and Bronze level awards are presented to VA medical centers that meet recognition criteria focusing on timeliness and strength of actions of RCAs, as well as reporting on the impact of actions taken. VA Loma Linda is one of only two VA healthcare systems in California to receive gold-level status for 2013. “This award is a tribute to the work of all VA Loma Linda employees,” said Medical Center Director Barbara Fallen. "For all of our clinicians and other staff, patient safety is the highest priority. I credit Patient Safety Manager Cheryl Hopkins for fostering a culture of safety throughout the healthcare system." The Gold Cornerstone award comes soon after the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center in Loma Linda was named a “Top Performer on Key Quality Measures” by The Joint Commission, a leading accreditor of health care organizations in America.