"As a Surgical Tech, safety in the operating room starts with proper sterilization and personal hygiene. We work with patients that we are operating on and infection can happen on a moments notice if proper steps aren't taken. I've helped write operating procedures for our unit to ensure that we are using sterilized equipment with each patient and to ensure that each person entering the OR during a case is properly dressed and sanitized. Then, in focusing on each patient, I have to help ensure that each patient comes into surgery with proper screening and testing to ensure that they are prepared for their procedure. And with the busy nature of our unit, I take proper measures to ensure that each patient's current medical record is available to prevent wrong procedures on a patient. All of these measure require a focused and detailed approach and I take this detailed approach with every patient that steps onto our operating table."

"Throughout my time as a nurse on many units and now into a nursing leadership role, safety is always a top priority in my work and the work of my team. I preach safety on a daily basis in team huddle and with regular training sessions on both personal safety and patient safety. In the past year, I have worked with my fairly young team of nurses on safe lifting practices, safe patient transferring techniques, best practices on medication passing and training on slip, trip and fall hazards on our work unit. All of these things have help myself and my team keep safety practices at the top of mind while also focusing on our patient's overall health and well-being."