SEATTLE — Highline Medical Center was recognized for outstanding efforts to reduce patient harm and improve patient safety during the 81st annual meeting of the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) in Seattle. 
 Highline Medical Center is one of 16 WSHA hospitals to earn the 2013 “Washington State Hospital Association Safe Care in Action” award through participation in the Partnership for Patients national initiative – a nationwide collaborative effort to reduce the number of hospital-acquired conditions and hospital readmissions by the end of 2013. 
 “It is an honor for our staff to be recognized for their commitment to providing our patients with a safe environment for their health care,” said Highline Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Mark Benedum.

The initiative focuses on reducing harm in 10 key areas:

• Adverse drug events

• Catheter-associated urinary tract infections

• Central line-associated blood stream infections

• Injuries from falls and immobility

• Obstetrical adverse events

• Pressure ulcers

• Surgical site infections

• Venous thromboembolism

• Ventilator-associated pneumonia

• Preventable readmissions