For the second year in a row, Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center (FWMC) is the only hospital in Prince George’s County to earn an ‘A’ Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, an independent rating system that assesses hospitals based on their ability to prevent medical errors and patient harm.
In addition, the team has successfully reduced one of the county’s major healthcare bottlenecks – Emergency Room wait times – by about half.
With expanding capabilities and a culture that champions both safety and speed, Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center is setting the standard for clinical excellence in Prince George’s County.
An Environment Built on Safety
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national assessment that is updated twice annually, is the only hospital ratings program focused exclusively on patient safety. The grades are peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.
“Attaining an ‘A’ safety grade reflects the boldness we have taken to reach new heights of excellence, compassion and innovation,” said Daffodil Baez, president of Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center. “Hope and healing are synonymous with the work we do here every day at FWMC. I’m honored to lead such a phenomenal team at the only grade ‘A’ hospital in Prince George’s County.”
The team at FWMC has demonstrated their commitment to being a trusted choice for exceptional care in southern Prince George’s County by expanding operations that champion positive clinical outcomes and patient experiences.
It’s all part of the broader effort to improve safety and strengthen the hospital’s culture by keeping staff engaged, focused and consistent.
“Regardless of who comes through our door, how they come through our door or how many come through our door, we can’t miss a beat,” said Batavia Gillis, Director of Professional Development, Clinical Practice and Patient Experience at Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center. “That’s what we strive to do, and we try to reinforce that with the team every day, every minute and every shift.”
Door-to-Doctor in Under an Hour
Prince George’s County has been identified as having some of the longest emergency room wait times in Maryland, but thanks to some innovative changes, the team at Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center managed to slash their times by about 40 percent.
The implementation of a vertical care unit (VCU), designed to streamline patient flow and improve throughput, patients can see a physician within an hour of arrival.
Unlike traditional models focused solely on bedside treatment, the VCU allows medical care to be delivered to patients with less severe conditions who can remain upright in comfortable recliner chairs.
“We are the only emergency department for the Fort Washington community, and most of our patients have to drive about 40 minutes to get to the next hospital,” explained Monique McCray, Medical Director for the Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Center Emergency Department. “The fact that we provide excellent care means everything to this community.”
Baez shared that this recognition speaks volumes to the “hard work, talent and continued dedication” of the entire Fort Washington Medical Center team, because all roles, clinical and non-clinical, contribute to patient care.
“When we say that we will be a trusted choice for exceptional care in the community we serve, we mean it,” said Baez. “We will continue to focus our efforts on delivering high quality care because it’s what our community deserves.”
For more information about Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center, call 301-292-7000 or visit AdventistFWMC.com/ForYou.
