ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release)- Leaders of quality improvement projects and individuals who exemplify Avera’s values of hospitality, compassion and stewardship were honored at the Avera Quality Congress on Aug. 9 in Sioux Falls. A total of 89 projects and individuals were nominated. Some 450 Avera employees and special guests attended the conference.

“Avera started Quality Congress in 2002 to honor those people and projects that are improving the quality of care we offer to every patient, each and every day at every Avera facility,” said David Basel, MD, Vice President of Clinical Quality and Population Health Officer for Avera Medical Group. The event is held every other year.

Along with three Face of Quality patient stories, the day included a keynote address by Dr. Tejal Gandhi, Chief Safety and Transformation Officer for Press Ganey.

Awards were selected by a diverse group of internal and external judges.

Awardees in the Avera St. Luke’s region include:

Avera Caring Spirit – Hospitality

• Keith Roberts, Dietary Manager at Avera Eureka Health Care Center, Eureka, SD

Safety Award

• Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen, SD, for the project, “Reduce Post-Operative Infection Rates by Changing the Location of Pre-operative Hair Clipping from the OR to Pre-op/Same Day Surgery.” This project sought to improve pre-surgical processes with a goal of reducing risk of post-op surgical site infection.