Addressing the increasing concern of patient safety across the healthcare industry

The Office of Patient Safety was formed in 2005 to address the increasing concern of patient safety across the healthcare industry.

To further define patient safety, the Institute of Medicine stated in its 1999 report, To Err Is Human, that healthcare entities need to create a culture of patient safety – defined as the cumulative effect of the attitudes, aptitudes, views, values, and individual and group actions that dictate an organization's dedication to, approach to and proficiency of safety management.

Baylor Scott & White Health has developed a robust patient safety program to drive our mission to:

  • Achieve no preventable deaths
  • Ensure no preventable injuries
  • Seek no preventable risk

Our leadership

Jan Compton

Jan Compton, MS-HCAD, BSN, RN, CPHQ

Vice President of Patient Safety and Chief Patient Safety Officer

Ms. Compton is responsible for overseeing the healthcare system’s efforts to develop and implement evidence-based patient safety practices intended to help the organization pursue its vision of "no preventable deaths, no preventable injuries and no preventable risk."

Jan’s passion for patient safety is demonstrated as she directs BSWH programs to reduce inpatient mortality, promotes an organizational culture conducive to the development of patient safety innovations and guides employees in the adoption of patient safety values.

Tamra Acierni

Tamra Acierni, RN, MSN

Director of Patient Safety

Prior to joining the Office of Patient Safety, she served as Director of Quality & Patient Safety for Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center for four years. In addition, she was in the role of Director of Emergency Services at BSW Hillcrest for seven years.

Tamra has served on many hospital, system and community councils focusing on quality and patient safety initiatives. She has a history of transforming team and work environments to propel quality and safe care forward in a complex healthcare environment.

Tamra received her Masters of Science in Nursing from Walden University and Associate of Science – Nursing from McLennan Community College.