Environmental services worker recognized for patient safety efforts

A long-time environmental servies employee of Mercy Health – Fairfield Hospital in Fairfield, Ohio, has been recognized for her efforts around patient safety, according to an article on the Journal-News website.

Dorothy Huffman, a lead environment services tech who has worked for 36 years at Fairfield Hospital, won the 2015 Heart of Healthcare Award. The award honors outstanding environmental services professionals who make a difference in the lives of patients and long-term care residents.

“She holds herself and her peers accountable for preventing hospital-acquired infections, ensuring that the hospital has among the lowest (hospital-acquired infection rates) in the region. We can attribute this success [not] only to our hardwired processes and engaged staff but also to Dorothy’s watchful eye and high level of accountability,” the hospital said.

Huffman educates peers, patients and their families on the importance of frequent hand washing, using the appropriate protective apparel and paying particular attention to detail cleaning of high touch points throughout the room, the article said.

Read the article.