QEH spotlight on patient safety in interactive open day

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital marked Patient Safety Awareness Week with an open day on Wednesday that turned into a hospital-wide exhibition of how staff work across departments to keep patients safe.

The event served as an international platform to bridge the gap between hospital operations and public understanding, said Sandra Beckles Hackett, the hospital’s clinical risk manager. 

“Patient safety awareness is an international initiative we hold every year to enlighten staff, patients, and the general public on the importance of safety within the hospital,” said Beckles Hackett. “We want people to see how all these moving parts—from nursing and infection control to engineering and even the laundry department—come together to ensure the best possible care.”

To encourage engagement, the hospital launched a competitive booth challenge. Internal departments competed for top honours by creating attractive, interactive displays that showcase their specific safety protocols.

A panel of judges evaluated the teams based on their initiatives and their ability to communicate clearly how their daily work directly affects patient outcomes. The winners will be announced on Friday.

Staff reportedly went to great lengths to demonstrate their expertise.

Highlights include the ambulance service’s readiness displays and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team, which is offering live demonstrations of “kangaroo care” — the practice of skin‑to‑skin contact for newborns.

The open day served as a cornerstone of the hospital’s efforts to maintain transparency and foster a culture of safety. By bringing internal departments and external partners together, the QEH aimed to demystify the sophisticated systems working in harmony to protect patients.

(RR)