National Patient Safety week concluded at Naval Hospital Bremerton recently with an awards ceremony modeled after the Oscars.

Four awards were given out at the Oscars recognizing officers and Sailors and departments for their efforts in patient-safety awareness.

Categories and winners included the Best Catch of 2004, won by Lt. Cmdr. Victoria Hayward; the department with the most consistent use of identifying and reporting events, won by the multi-service ward on the fifth floor; the most productive instructor for medical team training, won by Lt. Cmdr. Kimberly James; and the best compliment from a patient to a staff member, won by Hospitalman 2nd Class Stephen Armstrong.

Patient Safety Oscar winners were presented with a golden statuette similar to the award given out at the Oscars, and had their picture taken with celebrity cardboard cutouts of Fabio, Austin Powers and Elvis Presley. The photos will be placed on display on the patient safety board.

“I thought the crowd for the event was nothing less than star quality,” said Mayda Schaefer, patient safety analyst in the Quality Management Department at NHB. “I wouldn’t have enjoyed it more if Chris Rock himself hosted it. We had the chance to recognize some truly deserving staff in a lighthearted and fun way.”

Schaefer has been the patient safety analyst at NHB since May 2004 and was previously with Harrison Hospital’s Quality Improvement Department.

“There wasn’t much I had to do for this event,” said Capt. Carol Morones, Quality Management’s department head. “The girls came up with the idea, I supported it, and they took care of the rest. They’re very creative.

“Recognizing Sailors who excelled at patient safety was our main goal,” said Morones. “Our other goal was to get everyone here aware of patient safety and how important it is to the hospital.”

Schaefer said she’s not sure if they’ll do the Oscars for next year’s National Patient Safety Week, but added whatever they do will be just as good if not better than this year’s.