Asbury Park, New Jersey – March 12, 2024: VNACJ Community Health Center (CHC) proudly announces its journey toward becoming a High Reliability Organization (HRO), which prioritizes and implements strategies to maintain high levels of safety and reliability in its operations. HROs emphasize error prevention, open communication, continuous learning, and a culture that encourages reporting and addressing potential issues promptly.
“While HRO has primarily been a focus of acute care hospitals, we aim to provide that same level of high-reliability care to our patients in a community-based health center environment,” said Sarina Brady, CEO of VNACJ Community Health Center. “We view our transformation to a High Reliability Organization as the best approach to fulfilling our mission of building healthy communities and enhancing well-being.”
The CHC is conducting comprehensive training sessions and group discussions to ensure the sustainability and successful implementation of this transition. These include HRO training sessions for leaders and HRO champion training sessions where leaders communicate the transition’s expectations to staff, ensuring an understanding and seamless integration of these principles. These initiatives equip staff with the necessary skills, foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement, and enhance the capacity to deliver safer, higher-quality care for the community.
HRO principles ensure patient safety remains the top priority. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of medical errors, reduces the frequency of adverse events, and enhances the overall quality of patient care. For staff, HRO practices foster a culture of collective responsibility and resilience, reducing workplace challenges and enhancing job satisfaction.
The concept of HRO originated from organizational theory and management, particularly in high-risk industries such as aviation, nuclear power, healthcare, and military operations. Becoming an HRO is rooted in understanding the need for rigorous safety protocols and error-reduction strategies to mitigate harm and failures.
About VNACJ Community Health Center
The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Community Health Center, Inc. (VNACJ Community Health Center) has been integral to Monmouth County for over 27 years, providing comprehensive primary and preventative care for infants, children, and adults.
As a Federally Qualified Health Center, VNACJ Community Health Center provides care at a sliding scale cost—meaning that quality of care is never dictated by a patient’s ability to pay. Ensuring equitable access and overcoming barriers in the healthcare system is central to the organization’s approach to care.
VNACJ Community Health Centers are conveniently located in Asbury Park, Freehold, Keyport, and Red Bank. The organization works across its four locations to fulfill its mission of building healthy communities and enhancing well-being.
With a diverse and multilingual team of professionals, VNACJ Community Health Center aims to represent and reflect New Jersey’s diverse communities, focusing on expanding access to high-quality healthcare in a trusted and inclusive environment. To learn more, visit: https://vnachc.org/