Highest Safety Honor Awarded to the Greenville Shriners Hospital

South Carolina Hospital Association Announces Zero Harm Awards

Achieving “crystal status,” the highest honor bestowed by the South Carolina Hospital Associations (SCHA) for a Zero Harm Award, Shriners Hospitals for Children — Greenville was recognized for achieving 84 months without a hospital onset case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The hospital was also bestowed with “acrylic” status for 12 months without a hospital onset of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff).

“This honor speaks directly to the ever-present priority and emphasis we place on ensuring the safety of all of our patients,” said Bill Munley, hospital administrator. “We also know that, perhaps now more than ever, patient families are equally mindful of the importance of recognition – just like this –  that speaks to an organization’s commitment to safety. “

The Certified Zero Harm Awards is a unique statewide program established by SCHA in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). For each award, hospitals must experience no preventable hospital-acquired infections of a specific nature over an extended period of time. The data is independently verified by DHEC.

“We are exceptionally proud of the 18 hospitals achieving crystal status, or the maximum months in a specific category, for Zero Harm,” said a statement from the South Carolina Hospital Association. “We are excited to announce that 59 hospitals earned one or more awards this year, and South Carolina hospitals collectively earned 239 awards across the seven categories.”

The SCHA began the Zero Harm program in 2014 to acknowledge hospitals that are on the forefront of preventing medical errors. The awards are part of an effort to guide and support the state’s hospitals in adopting best practices and implementing cultures of high reliability.