MASSENA -- Massena Memorial Hospital recently recognized what they call “National Patient Safety Week” from March 12-18.

MMH officials say the hospital experienced a 17 percent decrease in patient falls from 2015 to 2016.

“Everything we do is extremely complex. It may seem simple, but there are many steps that have to go right every single time. We have concentrated on building systems and processes that harness the talents of our hospital team to focus on patient safety,” MMH Chief Nursing Officer Ralene North said in a prepared statement from the hospital.

For the growing number of patients with special needs, such as dementia and limited mobility, MMH coordinates sitters serve as a companion and emotional support system for that patient.

A rainbow sign posted outside a patient’s room alerts staff to keep a closer watch on the patient as that person may be prone to falling.

MMH uses the Masimo Root Vital Signs Monitoring system with the capability to interface directly with the electronic medical record. It displays what MMH describes as "near real time" vital monitoring information from any connected Masimo device to a central station.

These stations are strategically placed throughout the hospital. Nurses are alerted to any distresses the patient might be experiencing.

Since Masimo was integrated into patient care in January, MMH officials say medical staff have been alerted to previously undiagnosed sleep apnea and low heart rate conditions.

Over the next several months, MMH will implement additional procedures to improve medication safety by ensuring a more active role of the pharmacy team in the review and administration of medications 24/7.