SGMC Health Honors HRO Team as Health System Heroes

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Monday, December 9th, 2024

SGMC Health honored its High Reliability Organization (HRO) Champions and Influencers as Health System Heroes at its monthly Board of Directors meeting. The team was recognized for their role in setting the benchmark for excellence in patient safety throughout the health system.  

SGMC Health began its journey to becoming an HRO in 2022. The HRO journey embraces a culture of safety and unwavering dedication to quality. The process encourages every member of the health system to become an active participant in the pursuit of reliability, valuing open dialogue about potential risks and concerns.

The HRO team members were awarded for their tireless efforts to foster a culture of vigilance, proactive risk management, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of patients and staff. These safety coaches serve as dedicated advocates for safety, quality, and continuous improvement within the organization.  

With psychological safety as a cornerstone of their approach, the HRO team promotes trust, boosts morale, and ensures efficient, high-quality care across the organization. 

Since October 2023, the HRO team has achieved several key milestones, including the development of the HRO Rounding Tool, launching an internal communications plan, and training staff on Universal Reliability Skills. Over the past year, the team has expanded its influence, bringing the total number of safety coaches to 55 across SGMC Health. 

“We are immensely proud of the HRO Champions and Influencers who embody our commitment to excellence,” said Pankaj Agrawal, MD, Chief Medical Officer at SGMC Health. “Their dedication to weaving safety into every aspect of our operations has positioned us as a leader in reliability in healthcare and improved our culture of safety.” 

The team received a standing ovation from those in attendance.     

SGMC Health is proud to participate in an array of recognition programs that honor employees who exemplify these values. To learn more about these initiatives, please visit sgmc.org/recognition