Spotlight on Safety: Hannah’s Quick Thinking

Hannah TenCate works as a Patient Representative in the Bronson Methodist Hospital Emergency Department. She was recently honored as a Quarterly Safety Hero for noticing a critical connection in a situation that could have easily been overlooked. Thanks to her quick thinking and initiative, she helped a patient receive prompt care.

What Happened?

A patient was being seen for carbon monoxide poisoning after a work-related incident that caused headache, nausea, dizziness and confusion. While registering a second patient, Hannah noticed that they had the same workplace benefits and similar symptoms to the patient already receiving treatment. Making the connection, she helped ensure the second patient was quickly assessed for carbon monoxide poisoning, which is undetectable without specific equipment.

Both patients were Spanish speaking and using translators. During the initial assessment, the second patient had not shared information about the workplace incident, so no other signs would have prompted this intervention until a later assessment.

Thanks to Hannah’s attentiveness, the patient received prompt care and was kept safe.

About the Bronson Safety Hero Award

The Bronson Safety Hero Award recognizes team members who “Speak Up Today to Prevent Harm Tomorrow.” The award is given quarterly to team member who spoke up to prevent harm, or who was a key contributor to resolving or improving a process that promotes positive patient outcomes. The quarterly winners are voted on annually by Bronson team members to determine the Bronson Safety Hero of the Year.