UMMC aims for the goal during Patient Safety Week

As soccer fans keep their eyes on the goal this summer, teams at the University of Mississippi Medical Center are focused on one of their own: patient safety. 

Patient Safety Week 2026 will be held the week of July 13-16, celebrating accomplishments from across the institution and highlighting the everyday work that helps make care safer for patients. 

This year’s theme, “Safety is Our Goal,” will spotlight patient safety achievements made throughout 2025 and encourage employees to reflect on the progress made by units and departments across UMMC. 

As part of the week’s activities, employees are invited to visit the Patient Safety Week Championship Boards, which will travel through first-floor locations within the hospitals throughout the week. The rolling displays will showcase unit progress toward 2025 quality metrics, with participating units represented as soccer balls advancing toward the goal as the week continues. 

Employees are encouraged to stop by each day to see which teams are gaining ground and who may take home the championship. 

Patient Safety Week is designed to raise awareness of the importance of patient safety, recognize the progress made across the organization and reinforce the role every employee plays in creating a culture of safety. 

“Patient safety is built through the daily actions of our teams,” said Dr. Phyllis Bishop, chief and Paul Parker Chair of Pediatric Gastroenterology and chief quality officer. “Every report, improvement, handoff, conversation and process change helps us move closer to our goal of providing the safest, highest-quality care for every patient.” 

To ensure accomplishments from across UMMC are represented, units and departments are encouraged to submit their 2025 patient safety achievements through the Patient Safety Week accomplishments form by July 10.

These accomplishments reflect the work of frontline staff, hospital leaders and multidisciplinary teams focused on improving care, reducing preventable harm and strengthening the patient experience. They also support continued progress toward quality metrics that help guide patient safety efforts across UMMC. 

“Patient Safety Week gives us an opportunity to celebrate the progress we have made while recommitting ourselves to the work still ahead,” said Kim Barrier, director of nursing quality and patient safety. “Patient safety is our goal, and achieving it requires every member of our team to stay engaged, speak up, have a questioning attitude and look for opportunities to improve.” 

The week will conclude with recognition of participating units and departments, including the announcement of this year’s Patient Safety Week championship winners. 

Agenda 

Monday, July 13 

• 6:30 a.m. - 8 a.m. - Hospital leaders will welcome staff at hospital entrances. 

• Ambulatory patient cart rounds (all day) - Visit the Patient Safety Cart to participate in safety-themed activities, spin the prize wheel and enter for a chance to win prizes.   

• 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Food Trucks will be available in the Guyton Breezeway.   

Tuesday, July 14 

• Ambulatory and inpatient cart rounds (all day and night) 

• 6 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Coffee and breakfast trucks will be available in the Guyton Breezeway. 

Wednesday, July 15 

• Ambulatory and inpatient cart rounds (all day and night) 

• 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Food trucks will be available in the Guyton Breezeway. 

Thursday, July 16 

• 6 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Coffee and breakfast trucks will be available in the Guyton Breezeway. 

• 6:30 a.m. - 8 a.m. - Hospital leaders will welcome staff at hospital entrances. 

• Noon - Patient Safety Championship Ceremony - Come to the patio outside the School of Nursing to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2025 Patient Safety Award winners.