Katie exemplifies the core values of a High-Reliability Organization through her daily commitment to detail, follow-through, and a deep sense of patient safety, particularly in the area of infection prevention. She brings a sharp mind and exceptional memory to every aspect of her work, consistently noticing what others might overlook. Whether it's identifying subtle inconsistencies in patient records or escalating safety concerns, Katie approaches every task with a commitment to a better outcome. I could be writing this about any of Katie's work, especially her dedication to safety, which includes real-time staff support, escalation, and prioritizing safety.

A recent example illustrates this perfectly: while reviewing the morning lab results for MDROs, Katie identified a patient diagnosed with MRSA. She didn’t stop by simply flagging the chart and placing the isolation order; she always chats with the care team, ensuring that they need to make sure the physical isolation is in place. This morning, there was a further concern, and in true HRO fashion, she paid close attention to detail and discovered that the chart images did not belong to the correct patient. Recognizing the potential risk, she immediately alerted the appropriate department, requested that an ERRF be completed by their ANM, and ensured the issue was escalated to me and the floor's leadership. Katie regularly sends thoughtful, actionable emails to leaders, sharing observations, huddle messages, and opportunities for improvement, always rooted in real-time data from our daily work. Her vigilance and commitment to escalation, investigation, and follow-through show exactly what it means to “speak up for safety” and support a culture of high reliability. She’s not just doing her job—she’s making us all better, but especially me!