AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

METHODIST HOSPITAL | NORTHEAST CVTS RECOGNIZED FOR TWO YEARS INFECTION FREE

The Cardiovascular Telemetry Services (CVTS) unit at Methodist Hospital | Northeast recently celebrated two years free of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI), Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), and MethicillinResistant Staphylococcus Aureus Bloodstream Infections (MRSA BSI). Their dedication to providing safe and quality care to patients and the Live Oak community has been exemplified through this remarkable accomplishment.

Methodist Hospital | Atascosa has earned the Go Clear Award™ for its achievement in eliminating hazardous smoke from its surgical procedures. The Go Clear Award is presented by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) is a national recognition honoring health care facilities that have committed to providing increased surgical patient and health care worker safety by implementing practices that eliminate smoke caused by the use of lasers and electrosurgery devices during surgery.

Methodist Hospital | Atascosa earned this award by undergoing comprehensive surgical smoke education and testing and for providing the medical devices and resources necessary to evacuate surgical smoke during all smokegenerating procedures.

Surgical smoke is the unwanted by-product of energygenerating devices that are used in 90 percent of all surgeries. Its contents include toxic chemicals such as

IN THE GREEN AT METHODIST HOSPITAL | ATASCOSA

The Methodist Hospital | Atascosa team celebrated 365 days of being ‘in the green’ or also known as having zero HealthcareAssociated Infections. This achievement demonstrates each employee’s commitment and passion for the work and cares they provide.

benzene, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide, viruses, bacteria, blood and cancer cells. Inhalation and absorption of surgical smoke pose serious health risks to patients and surgical staff. Today, it is estimated only 50% of health care workers across the U.S. understand the hazards of smoke exposure.

“The achievement of the AORN Go Clear Award Gold Level is significant for our Methodist Hospital | Atascosa surgical team and hospital,” shared Theresa Gonzales, Director of Surgical Services at Methodist Hospital | Atascosa. “We always strive for excellence and want a safe environment for our patients and employees; this is just one example of our efforts. This initiative was driven by our surgical staff, but the support of our leadership, anesthesiologists, and surgeons was also a big part of our success. We want the best for our patients and are excited to be awarded this honor.”