Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital Celebrates Patient Safety Awareness Month: “Team Up for Patient Safety”

Turks and Caicos Islands – March 23, 2026 – In recognition of Patient Safety Awareness Week, observed March 8–14, 2026, the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, operated by InterHealth Canada Ltd., proudly joined healthcare partners worldwide in advancing this year’s theme, “Team Up for Patient Safety.” The 2026 campaign emphasized the critical role of teamwork and reinforced the importance of collaboration among patients, families, care teams, and leadership in creating safer healthcare environments.

While globally observed as a week-long initiative, the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital extended its activities throughout the entire month of March, underscoring that patient safety requires sustained commitment, continuous learning, and shared accountability.

A Month of Learning, Engagement, and Collaboration

Throughout March, the hospital hosted a series of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) sessions aimed at strengthening competencies and reinforcing a culture of safety across all levels of care. These included:

• Patient Safety – Your Role, empowering individuals to recognize and act on their impact on safety outcomes
• Effective Communication Strategies, focusing on delivering safe care through structured, reliable communication
• TeamSTEPPS – Reinforcement and Expansion, strengthening the use of evidence based teamwork tools to enhance care delivery

Grand Rounds sessions further supported clinical excellence and knowledge translation, featuring:

• Rescue Ready 2025: Translating AHA PALS Updates into Practice
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Roadmap for Caribbean Countries
• Beyond the Algorithm: Applying the latest American heart Association BLS & ACLS Guidance in Emergency Practice

To promote engagement and learning in an interactive format, a Patient Safety Trivia Event was also hosted. The event featured five dynamic rounds covering patient safety principles, general knowledge, and a TCI knowledge lightning round, with prizes awarded to the top five participants. In addition, we welcomed Grade 4 students to our Hospital Teddy Bear Clinic, which served as an innovative extension of our patient safety efforts. This initiative allowed children to role-play as caregivers by bringing their teddy bears for “treatment,” helping them understand basic healthcare processes such as first aid, hand hygiene, communication, and safe care practices. By introducing these concepts early, the clinic not only reduces fear associated with healthcare settings but also promotes awareness of patient safety behaviours in a simple, memorable way.

Reaffirming a Shared Commitment

A defining moment of the month was the symbolic passing of the Patient Safety Baton, reinforcing the collective responsibility for safe care:

“Patient safety is not one person’s responsibility. It is a commitment we share across teams, departments, organizations, and nations; and it is upheld in partnership with every patient and family we serve.”

Advancing the 2026 Patient Safety Objectives

Aligned with the global theme, the hospital’s initiatives focused on four strategic priorities:

• Promote Collaboration: Encouraging active participation from all members of the care team, including patients and families
• Enhance Communication: Strengthening open dialogue to improve understanding of care plans and safety protocols
• Recognize Achievements: Celebrating progress while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement
• Engage Communities: Inspiring broader discussions on patient safety, equity, and quality in healthcare delivery

Acknowledgements

The Board of Directors and Executive Leadership of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital extend sincere appreciation to all who participated in the month’s activities and contributed to the success and sustainability of this important initiative.

Special thanks are extended to our dedicated healthcare teams for their unwavering commitment to delivering safe, high-quality care; our video and production team for effectively amplifying key messages; our valued healthcare partners for their collaboration and support; and the leadership of the Turks and Caicos Islands, including Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, the Honourable Premier, Charles Washington Misick and the Honourable Minister of Health, Kyle Knowles for their continued guidance and commitment to advancing patient safety nationally.

Building a Culture That Lasts

“Patient safety is not a solo effort, it is a collective commitment that defines the integrity of our healthcare system,” said Isha Honoré, Quality, Risk, Patient Safety and Management Lead at the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital. “Our responsibility is to design and sustain environments where teams are supported, patients are heard, and risks are proactively managed. Through sustained engagement beyond this month, we are advancing a culture of high reliability, where safety is consistently delivered, measured, and continuously improved.”

Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, Chief Executive Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment, noting that patient safety remains central to the hospital’s mission and strategic direction. “Patient safety is at the heart of everything we do. This year’s theme, ‘Team Up for Patient Safety,’ reinforces a simple but powerful truth, safe care is achieved when we work together. At the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, we are committed to fostering a culture where collaboration, communication, and accountability guide every interaction. I am proud of our teams for their dedication throughout this month and beyond, as we continue to strengthen systems, empower our staff and patients, and deliver care that is consistently safe, reliable, and of high quality.”

The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital remains dedicated to fostering a culture where safety is prioritized, communication is strengthened, and every voice, staff, patient, and family, is valued.

Healthcare professionals, community partners, patients, and families are encouraged to continue supporting patient safety by speaking up, staying informed, and working collaboratively to improve care outcomes.