It’s beneficial to have the office of the Nebraska Coalition for Patient Safety on the UNMC campus said Katherine Jones, Ph.D., assistant professor of physical therapy education in the School of Allied Health Professions.
Faculty interested in patient safety research can take advantage of the coalition’s educational offerings, Dr. Jones said. Meanwhile, the NCPS benefits from access to university resources and collaborations with UNMC researchers on investigations related to patient safety, said Ann McGowan, executive director of the NCPS.
Coalition has strong campus presence
Dr. Jones noted that James Temme, associate director and Charles R. O’Malley Chair of radiation science technology education in the School of Allied Health Professions, has collaborated with NCPS to conduct a survey of radiation safety practices in Nebraska hospitals.
NCPS has had its office housed at UNMC, at the School of Allied Health Professions, for a little more than a year.
Good neighbors
McGowan likes to have Dr. Jones, who is NCPS vice president, “two doors down.” Dr. Jones’ translational research emphasizes safety culture, teamwork and communication. She has helped provide patient safety training in more than 60 Nebraska hospitals.
The coalition’s president — Stephen Smith, M.D., chief medical officer of The Nebraska Medical Center — also is on campus, as are NCPS board members Darwin Brown and Patty Scholting, both of the SAHP’s physician assistant education program.
“Providing the organizational home for the NCPS was a win-win decision,” said Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., senior associate dean of the SAHP, “especially given the complementary relationship between the work of NCPS and the research of Dr. Jones.”