OMHC gets patient-safety grant

Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center has been awarded a grant for the implementation of a new patient monitoring system focused on enhancing the safety of long-term geriatric patients.

Coverys, a leading provider of medical professional liability insurance and related services, announced that the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation awarded more than $140,000 in grants to 17 separate hospitals and health facilities in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The grants will be used for staff training programs, resources and other initiatives to enhance patient safety, improve health outcomes and reduce risk.

Odessa hospital administrator Mo Sheldon said, “We are very excited to receive this opportunity to enhance important safety measures for our residents and patients. Megan Shepard, RN, OMHC’s Clinical Services Director, will lead the implementation process. We hope to have the project in full swing by the first of the year.”

“Improved patient safety has always been a critical mission of Coverys. When we have the chance to provide support to the healthcare community to enhance patient safety programs, we believe we are executing on this mission,” said Gregg L. Hanson, CEO and president of Coverys. “At the same time, through this support Coverys recognizes the dedication and forward-thinking of hospital and facility staff by funding grants to help get their initiatives off the ground. I’m extremely proud that Coverys has been and continues to be an avid supporter of these programs.”

Other projects funded by the Foundation in the local area are:

n Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee to support the implementation of a concussion awareness and treatment program within the community.

n Lincoln Hospital District #3 in Davenport for training and education relating to a pain management and prescription monitoring program.

Through funding, the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation positively reinforces charitable organizations and innovative programs that improve patient care and safety, promote healthy lifestyles, address obesity and support individuals and organizations that provide healthcare services, including causes in which Coverys employees are involved. The development of the Foundation exemplifies Coverys’ dedication to being an affirmative and active corporate citizen in the healthcare community and the communities in which it operates.

Coverys is an innovative medical professional liability insurance provider dedicated to helping its policyholders and clients anticipate, identify and manage risk to reduce errors, eliminate inefficiency and improve outcomes. Coverys is responsible for insuring over 32,000 physicians, dentists and allied health care providers, as well as more than 500 hospitals, health centers and clinics from coast to coast. It also has established the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation to support endeavors that focus on the improvement of patient safety, as well as health care programs to reduce childhood obesity. Visit Coverys at http://www.coverys.com for more information.