The 2021 UNC Medical Center Quality and Safety Award winners have been selected after a rigorous review process. Over 20 nominations were received by the committee, and 6 finalists were sent to the MCIC Executive Committee for a formalized selection of 3 teams. The committee appreciates everyone who submitted nominations. UNC Medical Center leadership is truly proud of these outstanding efforts to improve patient care and safety.
Awardees:
| Project Title | Project Lead(s) | Team Members |
| #underpressure: NC Children’s Hospital Pressure Injury Reduction Project | Melanie Dawes MHA, MBA, RN, NE-BC (AVP, Executive Sponsor)
Lisa Tibbetts MSN, RN, CPN (PICU PSM III, Sponsor) Jennifer Flippin, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC (NCCC PSM III, Sponsor) Amber Kirkley, BSN, RN, CPN (CNIV, Project Coach) |
Almarie Deberry, NAI (CSTI)
Ann Sexton, BSN, RN, CWOCN, CFCN (Cert. Wound Ostomy Continence Foot Care RN) Claudette Gaballo, BSN, RN (CNII) Danielle Stolfi, MSN, RN, CCRN (PSMIII) Ellen Maggiore, RN, CCRN (CNII) Heather Curran, BSN, RN, CPN, CPHON (CNIV) Joy Hazard, BSN, RN, CCRN (CNIV) Lauren Mulholand, BSN, RN (CNII) Maria Morrill, MSN, RN, CPN (CNIII) Melissa Smith, MD (MD in PICU) |
| A Novel Atrial Fibrillation Care Pathway in the ED Reduces Unnecessary AF Hospitalizations and Improves Quality of Care | Anil Gehi, MD (Director of Electrophysiology) | Anil Gehi, MD (Director of Electrophysiology)
Brittany Becker, BS (Research assistant) Jennifer Walker, MSN, ANP-BC (APP, Electrophysiology) Kevin Biese, MD (ED attending physician) Tiffany Armbruster, MSN, AGNP-BC (Project coordinator) Zack Deyo, PharmD (Cardiology pharmacist) |
| Mortality Reduction*
* This team is instead receiving special recognition for success over multiple years |
Lauren Schiff, MD (ACMO Quality)
Angela Overman, RN (Director of Nursing, Surgical Services) |
David Flynn, MD (Lead Physician)
Jeff Soltes, MS, PT (Quality Leader) Karen Gupton, RN (Nurse Reviewer) Lydia Chang, MD (Medical Director, MICU) Mary Jo Barfield, MBA (Quality Leader, Analytics) Paul Ossman, MD (Lead Physician Advisor) Ryan Kelly (Data Scientist, EADS) |
Honorable Mention:
| Project Title | Nominated By |
| Systematic Improvement in the Patient Transfer Process to UNC Children’s Hospital | Kenya McNeal-Trice |
| Children’s Operating Room Antibiotic Optimization (COR-ABX) | William (Bill) Wilson |
| Cardiovascular & Thoracic ICU (CVTICU) Pressure Injury Reduction Project | Caroline Ornelas |
The 2021 winners will be recognized at the MCIC meeting on October 12th and receive individual awards commemorating their achievements. Janet Hadar, President of UNC Hospitals, and Dr. Tom Ivester, Chief Medical Officer, sponsor the awards.
The next call for nominations will go out in May of 2022. Look for detailed information in Employee News and Vital Signs.