Each year, UF Health faculty, residents, staff and students gather to celebrate Patient Safety and Quality Week, presented by the UF Health Sebastian Ferrero Office of Clinical Quality and Patient Safety. This year’s celebration in April included a keynote speaker, quality improvement project presentations, poster sessions and a Quality Hero Awards recognition dinner. We received a record number of 105 abstracts submitted, with 95 percent being first-time submissions. We invited six of the best abstract authors to participate in podium presentations. New this year, a panel of UF Health leaders and UF faculty also selected a Best Abstract and Presentation Award from the six finalists. John Delano, M.P.H., C.I.C., UF Health Shands Hospital Infection Control practitioner, Stephanie Gore, B.S.N., R.N., CCRN, UF Health Shands Hospital Unit 77 clinical leader and team won for their work on “Multidisciplinary CLABSI Reduction Initiative: UF Health’s Path Toward Achieving Zero Infections.” Thirty-three individuals received Quality Hero nominations from a myriad of disciplines and hospital departments. At the Quality Hero Awards Recognition Dinner, we recognized Jeannette Hester, M.S.N., R.N., CCRN; Sharon Byun, M.D.; Arpan Patel, M.D.; Suzanne Pereau, B.S., L.V.T.; and Jacqueline Hoskavich, R.N., B.C.

The 2019 Patient Safety and Quality Week is slated for March 19-21. Abstract submissions will commence this fall. Look for updates and announcements surrounding the 2019 event on the Bridge.