#United States #Orlando #Patient Safety #ISMP #Cheers Awards

Commemorating Excellence in Medication Safety

The 29th Annual Cheers Awards ceremony, hosted by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), will take place on December 8, 2026, at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. This prestigious event aims to honor outstanding individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing patient safety and medication management. This year's award recipients exemplify the significance of thoughtful system design, teamwork, and continuous learning in ensuring safer healthcare practices.

Highlighted Awardees for 2026

1. Kaweah Health, Visalia, California
Kaweah Health has revolutionized the management of inpatient oral chemotherapy, replacing varied clinician-dependent practices with standardized safety processes integrated into their electronic health record system. Following their intervention, the comprehensive evaluation rate by pharmacists surged from 67% to an impressive 97%. Additionally, the frequency of documented pharmacist interventions increased from 5% to 33%, while the labeling for hazardous drugs improved from 22% to 98%. These systematic changes have set a new benchmark for managing high-risk medications within inpatient settings.

2. Novant Health, North Carolina
Recognized for Project RED (Remarkable Excellence in Diabetes), Novant Health has significantly improved the inpatient management of personal insulin pumps across its 16 hospitals. Post-implementation data show a drastic reduction in the time from admission to insulin pump order entry, dropping from 7.4 hours to just 2.3 hours. The project emphasized collaboration and standardized protocols, resulting in no reported serious insulin pump-related safety events in 2026.

3. University of Kansas Health System, Lenexa, Kansas
The Pharmacy Shared Services Department has rolled out an innovative in-house 3D-printing program aimed at reducing risks associated with medication selection. By utilizing engineering controls and human-centered design principles, they have enhanced the organization of anesthesia medication storages, eradicating selection errors. Their program has transformed 79 anesthesia workstations with more than 250 redesigned kits, leading to a safety record devoid of storage-related errors.

Special Awards

• - George DiDomizio Award: Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, Illinois

This award celebrates Baxter's strides in reducing product selection errors linked to intravenous medications. Their efforts included redesigning product labels with improved visual differentiation and color coding, showcasing a proactive approach to patient safety through thoughtful packaging strategies.

• - Michael R. Cohen Lifetime Achievement Award: Robert M. Wachter, MD, UCSF

Recognized for his extensive contributions to patient safety, Dr. Wachter's publications and leadership have significantly influenced healthcare policies and practices. His works have illuminated the complex interplay between technology and safety in healthcare, encouraging a balanced approach to innovation.

The ISMP’s Impact on Patient Safety

For over three decades, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices has been at the forefront of addressing medication errors and promoting safety across the healthcare continuum. With its status as a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to preventing medication errors, ISMP has been crucial in advocating for significant changes in clinical practices and public policy. Its extensive work includes administering a national volunteer reporting program, providing valuable error-related insights, and developing a variety of educational materials to enhance clinician awareness and practices.

The upcoming Cheers Award ceremony encapsulates the essence of ISMP’s mission, highlighting the collaborative efforts and innovative solutions that lead to safer patient care. As the organization moves forward, it continues to rely on charity, educational grants, and volunteer initiatives to underpin its essential work in improving medication management and safety across healthcare systems.

For further information about the ISMP and the 29th Annual Cheers Awards, please visit their official website at www.ismp.org.