From left: Tirell Williams; Deirdre Lonergan, RN; Jennifer Zigun, MD
Great Catch winners help YNHH become a high reliability organization
Congratulations to these Great Catch winners for modeling HRO safety behaviors and taking action to improve patient safety
Inpatient
Deirdre Lonergan, RN, was recognized for attention to detail and 200% accountability, and
Tirell Williams, patient care associate, was honored for escalation of concerns and 200% accountability. Williams was with a patient awaiting discharge from the Orthopedic Surgery unit (EP 7-7) when the patient had a syncopal episode. Williams immediately alerted Lonergan, who called for the Rapid Response Team and advocated for further workup. When testing showed a blood clot in the pulmonary artery, the patient received emergency interventional radiology treatment, which saved his life.
Outpatient
Jennifer Zigun, MD, Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital Adult Intensive Outpatient Program, was recognized for attention to detail and speaking up for safety. She noticed a gas smell at the Hamden outpatient psychiatric facility on a Friday, and reported it to the building manager. The team that investigated said the smell was from equipment that gave off an odor similar to natural gas. On Monday, Dr. Zigun noticed the smell again and escalated her concerns to the Service Response Center, which contacted the gas company. Four separate leaks were found in the gas line, and the situation was immediately remedied. Dr. Zigun’s use of CHAMP behaviors prevented a possible disaster.
