Patient Care & Safety

“Commitment to Patient Safety is the key to providing the highest quality behavioral healthcare services possible for our community.”

Amberly Smith, MS, CPHQ – Patient Safety Coordinator

All of the staff members at Apalachee Center, Inc. are committed to providing the highest quality behavioral and primary healthcare services in the safest manner and surroundings possible. The Performance Improvement Department at Apalachee Center, Inc. continuously focuses on how to improve the processes involved in the delivery of this care by defining, measuring, researching, and monitoring the quality of services we provide. Apalachee has been accredited by the Joint Commission (JC) since 1981, and as such, have adopted the JC National Patient Safety Goals and recommendations.

Our commitment to quality and safety extends to our clients and their families, as well as to visitors and staff. As stated on Apalachee’s Partnership Pledge, “we invite you and your family to join us as active members of your “Recovery Team”. We may ask you to complete a survey to obtain feedback on the care that you received. We hope you will participate, as your opinion and comments about your experience here are important and help us improve.

Safety

At Apalachee, we take a team approach to Safety. All staff have a role in making healthcare safe, including psychiatrists, nurses, peer specialists, and mental health assistants. You play a vital role in making your care safe by becoming an active, involved, and informed member of your healthcare team. We welcome your involvement and feedback as it is our goal to keep you safe and healthy. Please let staff know if you have any suggestions for improving our care and services.

If you have questions or concerns about the care you received at Apalachee that program staff are unable to address, please contact Apalachee’s Executive Management Office at (850)523-3201 or email the Patient Safety Coordinator at amberlys@apalacheecenter.org.

Apalachee Center, Inc. Complaint / Grievance Form

If the concerns cannot be addressed through the Apalachee Center, you may contact the Joint Commission’s Office of Quality and Patient Safety

Online:
www.jointcommission.org/contact-us/

By E-mail:
complaint@jointcommission.org

By Phone:
(800) 994-6610

By Mail to:
Office of Quality & Patient Safety
The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook, Terrace, IL 60181

National Patient Safety Goals:

Identify Individuals Served Correctly (NPSG.01.01.01)

Prior to treatment, involve the client and family in the identification/matching process.
Use two client identifiers when giving medications and collecting blood or other specimens for testing –ID bands and photo in Inpatient and DOB & Name in OP.
Label specimen containers in front of the client.

Prevent Infections (NPSG.07.01.01)

Wash your hands and utilize hand antiseptics often.
Follow standard precautions at all times.
Educate clients on infection control measures including frequent hand washing.

Use Medicines Safety (NPSG.03.06.01)

Complete a list of the clients’ current medications at intake.
Compare those to the medications ordered by the Apalachee staff.
Reconcile any discrepancies.
Communicate up-to-date reconciled med list to the client and next provider of care.

Identify Individuals Served Safety Risks (NPSG.15.01.01)

Assess environmental ligature risks.
Screen individuals for suicidal ideation with a validated tool.
Use an evidence-based process to conduct a suicide assessment of individuals who screened positive for suicidal ideation and document the overall level of risk and plan to mitigate the risk for suicide.
Provide resources for counseling and follow-up at discharge for clients identified to be at risk for suicide.

Patient Care and Safety Resources
Provided by the Joint Commission “Speak Up” Series – The goal of the Joint Commission’s Speak Up patient safety program is to help patients and their advocates become active in their care.

Diabetes – 5 Ways to be Active in Your Care at the Hospital
Diabetes – 5 Ways to be Active in Your Care at the Hospital (Español)

5 Things You Can Do To Prevent Infection
5 Things You Can Do To Prevent Infection (Español)

Help Avoid Mistakes With Your Medicines
Help Avoid Mistakes With Your Medicines (Español)

Help Prevent Medical Test Mistakes
Help Prevent Medical Test Mistakes (Español)

Speak Up For Your Rights
Speak Up For Your Rights (Español)

Prevent Errors in Your Child’s Care
Prevent Errors in Your Child’s Care (Español)

Preventing Falls
Preventing Falls (Español)

Speak Up About Your Care
Speak Up About Your Care (Español)

Speak Up At Your Telehealth Visit
Speak Up At Your Telehealth Visit (Español)

Speak Up To Prevent Infection
Speak Up To Prevent Infection (Español)

Tips for Your Doctors Visit
Tips for Your Doctors Visit (Español)

Understanding Your Doctors and Other Caregivers
Understanding Your Doctors and Other Caregivers (Español)