Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) is proud to announce that we have received the prestigious CtUC 2025 Ron Hesch Mission First Award.
By April Eilers, Public Affairs Officer
This remarkable honor is named after Ron Hesch, a proud Veteran and passionate advocate for patient safety, and it recognizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Department of Defense (DoD) facility that embodies a steadfast "Mission First" approach to healthcare excellence.
Our Sterile Processing Service (SPS) is a critical department within our healthcare facilities, responsible for the decontamination, sterilization, and preparation of medical and surgical instruments and equipment. The primary goal of SPS is to ensure that all reusable medical devices are properly cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized to prevent infections and maintain the highest standards of patient safety.
"This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Sterile Processing Service team at VHSO,” said Martha Smith, EdD, RD, Interim VHSO Medical Center Director. “Their commitment to innovation, safety, and collaboration means that we can provide the highest level of care to those who have served our country.”
The SPS team has made significant strides in improving communication between its department and the Operating Room (OR). A new benchmark for communication, collaboration, and patient safety has been established through several key initiatives. Daily automated quality assurance reports generated from a surgical asset management system called Censitrac now empower end users to promptly address any nonconformities. Additionally, an exchange program was created between the SPS and OR teams to enhance understanding, improve communication, identify bottlenecks, and allow for innovation and the implementation of best practices and real-time solutions.
"We know how important our department is to providing safe care to Veterans,” said Angela Long, MSN, RN, CIC, CRMST, Chief, Sterile Processing Service. “We all worked together with the same goal in mind—provide Veterans the best care. We were confident in our results, and winning this award validates our success.”
At VHSO, we are constantly striving to enhance our services and provide the best possible care for our Veterans. Thank you for your service and for placing your trust in VHSO for your healthcare needs.
VHSO, where Veterans come first!
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