SGMC Health presented Shawn Lindsey, a CT technologist at SGMC Health Berrien, with the prestigious Safe Care Award for his exemplary use of the High Reliability Organization (HRO) tool, Speak Up. This award honors Lindsey's commitment to patient safety and his decisive action that directly contributed to saving a patient's life. 

The recognition comes after a recent patient required emergency surgery. The patient’s family reached out to express their deep gratitude to Lindsey for his keen observation and unwavering dedication to ensuring the best possible care. 

Lindsey was performing a routine CT scan when he noticed something unusual. The initial reading of the CT scan returned as normal, but Lindsey felt strongly that something was amiss. "I knew I saw something," he said, reflecting on the moment. "I know normal, and that was not normal. There was a lot of fluid, and the patient had a temperature of 104." 

Instead of accepting the initial report, Lindsey utilized the HRO tool Speak Up, a protocol that empowers healthcare workers to voice concerns when something doesn’t seem right. He informed the provider of his concerns and requested a reread of the CT scan. Lindsey’s persistence paid off—the reread confirmed his suspicions. The patient had a large abscess, and immediate surgery was required. 

The surgery was performed by Stephen Zeigler, MD, who shared that if the surgery had been delayed by even one more day, the outcome could have been fatal. 

Lindsey's quick thinking and refusal to overlook his concerns were crucial in preventing a tragedy. When informed that he had saved a life, Lindsey humbly responded, "That is what we do: save lives." 

Lindsey’s actions exemplify the core values of SGMC Health and the importance of the Speak Up culture. His dedication serves as a powerful reminder that every voice matters in the pursuit of patient safety. 

To be considered for SGMC Health's Safe Care Award, nominees should possess one or more of the following attributes: Exemplary Adherence to Safety Protocols, Proactive Hazard Identification and Reporting, Continuous Improvement Initiatives, Advocating for Safety Culture, and Mentoring and Knowledge Sharing.  

Nominations can be submitted online at sgmc.org/recognition by patients or patients' family members, colleagues, or managers/directors.