Rachel Yadrnak, a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse at Penn State Hershey, has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority. She is one of 10 statewide winners of the “I Am Patient Safety” poster campaign for her commitment to patient safety at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. She received an individualized poster highlighting her accomplishments in recognition of Patient Safety Awareness Week 2014.
Yadrnak is an active member of the Chemotherapy Safety Task Force at Penn State Hershey, which develops safety protocols and techniques to decrease medication errors. She was a leader in bringing a “closed chemotherapy system” to the Children’s Hospital, decreasing the risk of exposure and chemotherapy-related spills. Yadrnak also helped develop an annual chemotherapy competency test, which promotes consistency, furthers education, and monitors nurses’ skills in the pediatric hematology/oncology unit.
“I find great responsibility in knowing that I fill a role that is often the last line of defense to assure patient safety before reaching the patient,” said Yadrnak. She also promotes communication as the most important way to ensure patient safety on a daily basis.
Yadrnak was nominated for the award by nurse manager, Stephanie Reed, and clinical head nurses Robert Boesch and Michelle Hess of the pediatric hematology/oncology inpatient unit. They commended her clinical and leadership skills, as well as her caring nature.
In addition to the poster, Yadrnak received a certificate and will be mentioned in the March 2014 Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory.
“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire pediatric chemotherapy safety committee, and I look forward to continuing on the path to safer patient care,” said Yadrnak.