In the bustling environment of Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH), safety is paramount—not just for patients but for the dedicated staff who work tirelessly within its walls. At the heart of ensuring a secure workplace is the Safety Committee, a group whose recent efforts have not only garnered them a prestigious award but have also sparked a renewed commitment to employee welfare. This is the story of their journey, as recounted by the committee members themselves.
Commitment to Safety
The Safety Committee has been instrumental in implementing strategies that reduce workplace hazards and promote a culture of vigilance. In 2023, KVH filed a total of 38 claims, with about 5 of these considered “near miss” incidents. The following year, 2024, saw a slight increase with 40 claims filed; however, 11 of these were classified as “near miss.” These numbers indicate an enhanced awareness and reporting culture within the organization, underscoring the committee’s success in fostering an environment where safety concerns are promptly addressed.
The proactive measures and continuous training programs initiated by the Safety Committee is designed to empower employees to identify and report potential hazards before they result in harm. This commitment to safety highlights KVH’s dedication to maintaining a workplace where staff feels protected and supported, ultimately contributing to better patient care and a more harmonious working environment.
Washington Hospital Services (WHS) Top Performer Program
The Washington Hospital Services (WHS) Top Performer Program is meant to capture best practices from WHS Member Hospitals as well as highlight those organizations that strive to continually improve their employee health and safety. The WHS Top Performer Program is open to all Washington Hospital Services Workers Compensation group members in good standing.
Nicole Hilderman, Trent Baker, Anahi Rodriguez, and Marlo Willis embarked on a project that stemmed from a suggestion by Mandee Olsen, KVH Chief Quality Officer. Mandee learned about an opportunity through the Washington Hospital Services (WHS). The project focused on enhancing safety protocols, specifically through root cause analysis.
Understanding Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
To strengthen their safety initiatives, the team turned to Root Cause Analysis (RCA), a proven method for identifying and addressing underlying risks. Initially, the team faced a crucial decision: whether to pursue the project, which could potentially earn them the Washington Hospital Services 2024 Top Performer award. However, the decision was clear—the project was not only an opportunity for recognition but also a chance to address gaps in their safety processes.
A Collaborative Effort for Safety Enhancement
The project required assembling a diverse team, including members from human resources and safety departments. Together, they reviewed existing processes and identified areas for improvement. As the project unfolded, the team began by examining the root cause of bloodborne pathogen exposure. However, they soon realized the importance of broadening their focus to investigate all types of workplace injuries, including near misses and potential hazards. This comprehensive approach aimed to create a safer environment for all employees, from medical staff to dietary workers.
Nicole Hilderman emphasized the importance of a safe workplace, saying, “Healthcare settings are a pretty high risk for injury and exposure. A safe workplace is an important service to provide.” The team’s collaboration was key, allowing them to divide tasks effectively and leverage each member’s unique skills.
Recognition and Motivation
In January 2025, the KVH team was recognized as a Top Performer. As a result, they received a commemorative plaque, a cash award, and will be honored by the WSHA Board as a 2024 Top Performer at the annual WSHA Conference. The group hopes to use the awarded funds to enhance the visibility of KVH’s Safety Committee members and the impact and effectiveness of the committee.
Earning the Top Performer award was a milestone, but for KVH, it was just the beginning of an even stronger commitment to workplace safety. The recognition served as a catalyst for further innovation and improvement within the hospital’s safety protocols. Trent Baker noted, “By identifying ways to reduce employee injuries, we create a safer work environment where our team feels supported and can focus on what they do best—caring for patients. When our employees stay healthy and on the job, they can serve patients more efficiently and effectively.”
Central to this success was the revitalization of the Safety Committee. By incorporating feedback from diverse perspectives, the committee fostered a culture of safety awareness and accountability. In the next month, we plan to launch an RCA toolbox, filled with commonly used terminology, forms/templates, and links to examples/case studies. If you are ever asked to participate in or are just curious about an RCA event, this would give you some insight into the process.
Trent Baker highlighted this effort, saying, “What we discovered is that we already had many of the necessary components—they were just scattered in different places. The idea behind the toolbox is to bring everything together into one unified location, making it easily accessible for everyone to reference and utilize.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, the Safety Committee aims to continue its efforts in promoting a safe workplace. Plans include enhancing communication channels, providing ongoing education, and ensuring all employees feel comfortable reporting potential hazards. “Our vision for the safety committee, as we reevaluate it, is to truly amplify the employee voice,” said Nicole Hilderman. “We want to reach a point where we’re anticipating potential issues ahead of time and proactively preventing them before they happen.”
Marlo Willis added, “It’s just about exposing risk and it’s just for anybody to do it.” The ultimate goal is to create an environment where safety is a shared responsibility and where every employee feels valued and protected.
Conclusion
The Safety Committee’s story is one of collaboration, innovation, and dedication. Through their efforts, they have not only improved safety protocols but have also instilled a sense of pride and commitment among their colleagues. The committee is dedicated to continuously fostering a culture of safety and excellence, ensuring KVH remains a place where both patients and staff thrive.