Association commends leadership of Griffin Hospital in Derby

WALLINGFORD  – Connecticut hospitals put patient safety above all else.  We should never harm patients, and we never come to work intending to harm patients.  We are concerned about the patients who were impacted by this situation.

Griffin Hospital in Derby today warned patients about possible insulin pen contamination. 

Eighteen months ago, Connecticut hospitals started training their hospital staff in the principles of high reliability.

 High reliability is a safety methodology used in many complex organizations around the world to reduce the risk of preventable harm.  

One of the key elements of high reliability is the institution of a daily safety huddle, during which time staff are encouraged to discuss concerns and issues.

Through its high reliability work, a Griffin Hospital staff member raised the concern about insulin pen use at a hospital safety huddle.

The climate we are trying to achieve is one in which staff are empowered to raise concerns proactively about practices that may cause risk to patients.  

Another element of highly reliable organizations is the concept of transparency, in which we talk openly about mistakes that are made, fix them promptly, and take action to ensure they don’t happen again.

We commend Griffin Hospital’s leadership for taking full responsibility and affirmative steps to address the issue.

While we understand the risk of exposure to be very small, we encourage those contacted to follow the guidance to get tested to put their minds at ease.

 About CHA
The Connecticut Hospital Association has been dedicated to serving Connecticut’s hospitals since 1919.  

Through state and federal advocacy, CHA represents the interests of Connecticut’s hospitals on key healthcare issues in the areas of quality and patient safety, access and coverage, workforce, community health, diversity, and hospital reimbursement.

 This is a press release from the Connecticut Hospital Association.