Bronson Battle Creek Employee Receives Award for Speaking Up for Patient’s Safety
The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center honored Mozella Horton-Peters, an environmental services employee at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, Tuesday, April 6 with the quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award.
Horton-Peters was interacting with a patient when she noticed the patient’s condition worsened and their breathing became labored. She quickly notified a registered nurse who confirmed the patient required immediate medical attention. Horton-Peters’ swift action to speak up prevented the patient’s condition from reaching a critical state.
“Interacting with patients is a highlight of my role at Bronson Battle Creek,” said Horton-Peters. “The hospital has a culture where we all know we have a role to play in the health of the patient and I’m glad that I was able to say something so that the patient was okay.”
Created in 2016, the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award celebrates individuals in MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) member hospitals who speak up to prevent near misses and potential harm to patients or staff. The award fosters a culture within healthcare organizations that empowers staff to speak up about the quality or safety of patient care.
“Bronson Battle Creek works extremely hard to develop and maintain a strong patient safety culture,” said Kirk Richardson, senior vice president of community care at Bronson. “All members of our care team are empowered to speak up if they have a concern and we are so proud of Mozella for doing just that.”
Additional award finalists for the first quarter of 2021 include:
- Connie D'Avanzo-Ordo, RN, Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn
- Angie Fossitt, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital
- Crystal Blackwood, War Memorial Hospital
“Each Speak-up! Award signifies another time when a front-line caregiver spoke up and prevented potential harm to a patient,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “Mozella and Bronson Battle Creek are an example of the commitment Michigan hospitals make to practicing strong safety cultures that put the patient first.”
Specifics on the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, are available online.
In addition to receiving the MHA Speak Up! Award, Mozella was named a Bronson Safety Hero as a result of her courage to speak up for patient safety. Watch the video to learn more.
