Columbia VA earns multiple South Carolina Zero Harm Awards for patient safety excellence

Columbia VA Health Care System earned seven Zero Harm Awards through South Carolina’s statewide Zero Harm initiative, recognizing 2024 calendar year performance in preventing patient harm and improving outcomes across clinical and priority areas.

The awards were presented in January and reflect sustained efforts throughout 2024. The Zero Harm program, led by the South Carolina Hospital Association, recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate measurable success in reducing harm through evidence-based practices and a strong culture of safety.

During the 2024 reporting year, Columbia VA received awards for Hospital Onset MRSA, Surgical Site Infection (SSI) prevention for knee replacement and colon surgery, central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) prevention on three inpatient units, and a Priority Award for Suicide Prevention.

“Receiving multiple Zero Harm Awards is a powerful affirmation of our core mission—to provide Veterans with care that is not only high-quality, but consistently safe,” said Jeffrey Soots, Columbia VA acting executive director/CEO. “These awards represent thousands of deliberate actions taken every day by our staff to reduce risk, prevent harm, and protect those who have served our nation.”

Soots credited the achievement to a systemwide culture that encourages accountability, transparency, and early intervention.

“These awards reflect a culture where staff feel empowered to speak up, report concerns, and act early—with full leadership support,” he said. “Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and accountability is shared at every level.”

Recognition across diverse areas highlights the scope of Columbia VA’s Zero Harm efforts, Soots said.

“Zero Harm is not limited to a single program or department—it is a systemwide priority,” Soots said. “Protecting Veterans means addressing risk in every setting and at every point of care.”

The Priority Award for Suicide Prevention recognized the work of Columbia VA’s Suicide Prevention Team, which supports Veterans following contact with the Veterans Crisis Line and across clinical settings.

“Suicide prevention is everyone’s job in VA,” said Dr. Brian Apple, suicide prevention program manager. “In fiscal year 2025, our team followed up on 2,977 Veterans Crisis Line consults, answering on the first business day more than 99 percent of the time. That consistency helps Veterans feel connected and supported during critical moments.”

Columbia VA screened 87.4 percent of enrolled Veterans for suicide risk during 2024 and implemented tracking processes to ensure timely completion of comprehensive suicide risk evaluations, Apple said. Emergency department social workers screened every Veteran seen in the ED, and staff completed annual suicide prevention training to help identify Veterans at elevated risk.

“Talking about suicide can be uncomfortable, but it is essential,” Apple said. “This recognition validates the daily work our staff does to ensure Veterans receive the mental health care they need and deserve.”

Infection prevention awards reflected years of sustained performance driven by data, collaboration, and adherence to evidence-based practices, said Lucy Austin, infection control nurse manager.

“Our success comes from strict adherence to infection prevention protocols, including hand hygiene compliance, prevention bundles, surveillance, and continuous process improvement,” Austin said.

Austin said multidisciplinary teamwork and transparent data sharing allowed teams to identify risks early and respond proactively.

“Preventing infections reduces hospital stays, lowers costs, and improves the overall Veteran experience,” she said. “Safety touches every area of the facility, and every staff member plays a role.”

This marked the ninth consecutive year Columbia VA submitted data and received Zero Harm recognition, reflecting long-term commitment rather than short-term performance, Austin said.

Soots said the awards mark progress, not an endpoint.

“We are proud of this recognition, but we do not view it as a finish line,” he said. “We will continue to learn from data, invest in our people, and strengthen collaboration to ensure Zero Harm remains a sustained way of operating.”

For more information about what’s going on at the Columbia VA Health Care System, clinic locations, and other services available to Veterans in South Carolina, visit the website https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, keyword: VAColumbiaSC.