Heather Stewart
Taylor,MI
Summary
Dedicated Patient Safety and Reliability Specialist with a strong nursing background and expertise in healthcare quality improvement. Skilled in implementing evidence-based safety protocols, conducting Success cause analyses, and driving process reliability to reduce adverse events. Adept at collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster a culture of safety. Proven ability to analyze data, identify trends, and develop sustainable solutions that improve care delivery and operational efficiency.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Patient Safety and Reliability Specialist
Corewell Health
08.2023 - Current
- Analyzed results to comply with standards.
- Conducted projects and performance presentations to clients and company executives.
- Improved methods for measurement, documentation, and work flow management.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff and leaders.
- Advocating for patient safety and Quality care.
- Skilled in leading safety initiatives, conducting root cause analyses, and fostering a culture of high reliability. Proven ability to collaborate across departments to reduce harm and enhance patient outcomes.
- Identifies safety risks and implements mitigation strategies.
- Leads investigations of adverse events and near misses using RCA and FMEA methodologies.
- Analyzes safety and quality data to identify trends and opportunities.
- Engages clinical teams in safety huddles and improvement projects.
- Prepares documentation and participates in site surveys and audits.
- Implements actions to reduce adverse events and improve safety culture.
- Conducts success cause analysis (SCA) and failure mode effects analysis (FMEA).
- Participated and Lead quality improvement projects using methodologies like PDSA.
Quality Improvement Nurse
Corewell Health
06.2021 - 08.2023
- Remained calm during high-stress, critical situations, demonstrating sustained focus and problem-solving in real-time.
- Investigated and resolved issues affecting hospital operations and patient care.
- Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
- Collects and analyzes clinical performance data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
- Prepares reports for leadership and regulatory bodies.
- Ensures adherence to Joint Commission, CMS, and other regulatory standards.
- Reviewed and analyzed patient charts to identify safety events, documentation discrepancies, and opportunities for process improvement.
- Conducted retrospective chart audits ensure compliance with safety protocols.
- Collaborated with clinical teams to review patient records for trends in adverse events, contributing to improved reliability metrics.
- Utilized EMR systems (e.g., Epic) to extract and evaluate patient data for quality and safety reporting.
Registered Nurse-Progressive Care Unit
Corewell Health
06.2006 - 06.2021
- Conducted continuous cardiac monitoring on patients stepping down from ICU care.
- Delivered well-rounded care by incorporating behavior modeling and culturally specific approaches.
- Promoted patient independence by establishing care goals and teaching patients about conditions, medications, and self-care skills.
- Helped team manage patient flow by promoting timely placements for admissions, discharges and transfers.
- Completed daily assessments and documented information in electronic medical records.
- Assessed and coordinated patient discharge planning needs with multidisciplinary healthcare team.
- Implemented physician orders and tracked progress against care plan to assess results.
- Rounded hourly for optimal patient care outcomes.
- Communicated with healthcare team members to plan, implement and enhance treatment strategies.
- Offered exceptional care and support to individuals recovering from acute incidents and dealing with chronic conditions.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Implemented care plans for patient treatment after assessing physician medical regimens.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
- Delivered high level of quality care to diverse populations.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Led teams in driving successful patient outcomes by prioritizing standard of care and best practices.
- Observed and documented patient factors such as diets, physical activity levels, and behaviors to understand conditions and effectively modify treatment plans.
- Used first-hand knowledge and clinical expertise to advocate for patients under care.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.
- Recorded details regarding therapies to keep patient charts updated.
- Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery.
- Strong foundation in nursing practice and patient care.
- Ability to make quick, informed decisions in high-pressure situations.
- Ability to delegate, use time management skills and prioritize tasks.
- Responding to unexpected challenges with calm and clarity. Maintaining composure under stress.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio, OH05-2018
Associate of Science - Nursing
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, MI05-2006
Skills
- Event investigation and reporting (eg, safety events, near misses)
- Success Cause Analysis (SCA) & Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Medication safety and reconciliation
- Fall prevention strategies
- Process improvement methodologies
- Data analysis and interpretation (eg, safety metrics, dashboards)
- Performance improvement project
- Safety culture assessments and interventions
- Interdisciplinary team facilitation
- Staff education and training on safety protocols
- Effective communication with leadership and frontline staff
- Presentation of findings and recommendations
- Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems (eg, Epic)
- Safety reporting systems (eg, RL Solutions)
- Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Powerpoint, or Tableau for data visualization
- Audit and compliance tracking tools
Certification
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) 2007-present
- Basic Life support (BLS) 2006-present
Timeline
Patient Safety and Reliability Specialist
Corewell Health
08.2023 - Current
Quality Improvement Nurse
Corewell Health
06.2021 - 08.2023
Registered Nurse-Progressive Care Unit
Corewell Health
06.2006 - 06.2021
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Ohio University
Associate of Science - Nursing
Henry Ford College