Healthcare Hero: Tiffany Smith’s Keen Eye Prevents Major Disruption at Kadena Air Base

In a remarkable display of vigilance and dedication, RN Tiffany Smith was recognized for identifying a critical system error that had been causing significant disruptions. Tiffany is a member of the Kadena Air Base medical team, which is part of the US Air Force Medical Services contract with Goldbelt Glacier, supervised by Program Manager Jen Juliano.

The error was miscategorized certain laboratory tests, which led to lab cancellations and repeat blood draws, potentially delaying patient diagnoses and impacting the overall quality of care across the medical group. Tiffany’s exceptional attention to detail and commitment to patient safety were instrumental in tracking down this error.

The issue resulted in unnecessary repeat testing, which put additional strain on resources and risked delays in critical treatment decisions. By identifying and reporting the error, Tiffany played a key role in preventing further disruption and ensuring that the Medical Group was educated about the issue, thereby improving overall system efficiency. Tiffany exhibited the   entrepreneurial spirit and the excellence Goldbelt expects in everything we do.

In recognition of her keen attention to detail and unwavering commitment to patient safety, Chief of the Medical Staff, Lt Col Edwards, awarded Tiffany a Good Catch Coin. Her actions underscore the importance of vigilance in healthcare settings and reinforce a culture of quality, safety, and patient-centered care. Tiffany’s contributions have had a lasting positive impact on the efficiency of the medical group and the well-being of the patients they serve.