Building a Culture of Safety: Patient Safety Week, March 10-15

Two women and a man from the Radiology team gathered together smiling.

“Patient safety isn’t just a responsibility—it’s our culture,” says Patient Safety Officer Alpana Patel Camilli, BS, CRA, (R) (CT), manager of Interventional Radiology, Neuroendovascular Surgery and interim manager of Diagnostic Radiology.  “This week we’re uniting to ensure every patient receives safe, high-quality care, beyond checklists and protocols.” 

Join us March 10 –15 to strengthen our safety culture. Daily activities will focus on key safety objectives and practical takeaways. Teams will analyze real patient cases and implement solutions, integrating actionable takeaways into daily workflows. Success will be measured by improved teamwork, not just attendance.

Top 5 Patient Safety Priorities

  • Time-Out Audit – Pause. Check. Protect.
  • Falls Prevention – Stay upright, stay safe.
  • Fire Safety – Stop, drop, and learn!
  • MRI Safety – No metal, no mayhem!
  • Patient Safety Recap – Knowledge is power!

Three women from the Radiology team are smiling.

Patel Camilli emphasizes engaging all staff, ensuring every voice is heard, and fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to advocate for patients.

"When patients see we've taken every safety step, colleagues speak up freely, and we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards, we build trust and deliver truly exceptional care," she says.

The goal is to see increased staff empowerment, incident reporting, cross-team collaboration, and continuous improvement. A strong safety culture also drives retention. "When employees feel heard, valued, and connected, that trust and loyalty extend to career development," she says.

"At the heart of these efforts is the belief that we’re better together," Patel Camilli concludes. "Safety is a shared commitment that strengthens our culture, builds trust, and ultimately makes UCSF Radiology a leader in patient-centered care."

 

By Arleen Bandarrae