Holiday decorating contest to focus on safety
Hospital departments must incorporate the use of the STAR technique into their holiday theme, whether in a story, poem or even a song.
USA Health hospitals will host a holiday decorating contest based on the Safety Starts with Me theme. Departments are invited to sign up by Dec. 12, with first- and second-place winners to be announced the week of Dec. 19.
“Departments choosing to participate must incorporate the use of STAR into their holiday theme, whether in a story, poem or even a song. Be creative,” said Becky Pomrenke, M.S.N., R.N., patient safety manager for USA Health.
STAR refers to the “head before hands” technique that is the most effective way to avoid slips and lapses. STAR is an acronym for these steps:
- Stop: Pause for one second to focus your attention on the task at hand.
- Think: Consider the action you’re about to take.
- Act: Concentrate and carry out the task.
- Review: Check to make sure that the task was done right and that you got the right result.
The first-place winner will receive a meal of choice delivered. The second-place winner will receive holiday T-shirts. To sign up, email rpomrenke@health.southalabama.edu and include your department name and location.
Departments must adhere to the University Hospital policy for Decorations, Seasonal and Special Events (PolicyStat ID 10758842). Live trees or wreaths, metallic trees, wreaths and decorations, and extension cords are not allowed.
USA Health’s Safety Starts with Me initiative was launched in July 2021 with the goal of creating a culture of safety and adopting a mindset of zero harm.
