February 21, 2013

Patient and Safety Scholarship program inaugurates first class

Vanderbilt’s Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy has named its inaugural class of 34 scholarship recipients to participate in the Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety’s (CBPPS) certification program.

Vanderbilt’s Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy has named its inaugural class of 34 scholarship recipients to participate in the Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety’s (CBPPS) certification program.

The group, chosen out of a pool of nominees from across departments and disciplines based on their proven commitment to patient safety, received notifications in late January, according to Gerald Hickson, M.D., director of the Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy. Hickson said the selected recipients are professionals whose career pursuits will be enhanced by participation in this safety certification program.

“These great colleagues will help to equip VUMC to meet our mission of delivering safe, high quality care to all those we serve.”

Vanderbilt’s scholarship recipients will have the chance to undergo the training and certification courtesy of the new VUMC Patient and Safety Scholarship. First, the group will follow a multi-faceted curriculum involving 10 modules of online training developed by the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF).

This curriculum “takes the learner through the history of the patient safety movement, describes the science and disciplines used in this work, presents current best practices, and outlines strategies for overcoming barriers to safe care,” according to the NPSF.

After a preparatory test, the course culminates in an evidence-based examination where the participants demonstrate competency in patient safety science and application and achieve their certification.

Nationwide, more than 150 health care professionals have graduated from the CBPPS’s safety training course to date.

The Medical Center’s Risk Prevention Program, the Center for Clinical Improvement, the Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy, and the Office of Performance Management and Improvement combined to bring the educational opportunity to enhance Vanderbilt’s devotion to patient care to campus.

More detailed information on the NPSF training curriculum can be found here and more information about the CBPPS certification program can be found here.