The WPSC Health Equity: Innovation in Patient Safety Award
Next nomination period opens January 1, 2026
The Award
The Washington Patient Safety (WPSC) Health Equity: Innovation In Patient Safety Award (HE:IPSA) is a statewide recognition program that honors Coalition members for their commitment to health equity through innovative approaches that move the needle on patient safety.
Created to elevate health equity as a safety priority in Washington State – through addressing disparities, the Coalition’s Health Equity Award is proudly presented to the healthcare community by WPSC’s Health Equity, Stigma & Bias Workgroup. This initiative is administered with the support of WPSC staff.
Purpose
To recognize:
Health organizations that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to innovative ways of reducing health disparities and advancing health equity through policies and procedures that identify as well as close gaps in unequal treatment in the populations they serve, with a view to improving patient safety and health outcomes, particularly for people within target communities.
The WPSC applauds member organizations working tirelessly to eliminate barriers to equal and meaningful access to quality care for all patients, in support of the Coalition’s vision of Safe care: every patient, every time, everywhere.
Health Equity
A state in which every individual has a fair & just opportunity to attain their full potential for health & well-being. It is where socially unfair & unjust health disparities do not exist.
Patient Safety
A framework of organized activities that creates cultures, processes, procedures, behaviors, technologies & environments in health care that consistently & sustainably lower risks, reduce the occurrence of avoidable harm, make error less likely & reduce its impact when it does occur.
To apply for an award
- Applicants must be a WPSC member in good standing.
- Applicants must complete the WPSC HE:IPSA application form.
The HE:IPSA winner will receive complimentary attendance to WPSC’s 2025 NW Patient Safety Conference in October for up to 5 team members to officially receive the Award.
Key Dates for 2025
Application Opens
March 18, 2025
Application Deadline
June 16, 2025
Award Announcement
September 1, 2025
Award Presentation at NW Patient Safety Conference
October 15, 2025
Application Information
How to apply for the award
- Applications are accessed via the Application Form button on this page.
- Download and complete the form.
- Email to: WPSC@QUALITYHEALTH.ORG. Subject: HE Award Application.
- Check “Key Dates” on award website for submission deadlines.
Applicant criteria
- Applicants must be a WPSC member in good standing.
- Applications are open to individuals & healthcare organizations/business in WA state. Washington healthcare organizations include hospitals, pharmacies, long term care (e.g. skilled nursing facilities & assisted living facilities), clinics and physician offices, insurers, laboratories, and other care related business are eligible.
- Applicants must complete the WPSC Health Equity: Innovation in Patient Safety Award application form.
- Please omit any Protected Health Information.
- There is a limit of one application per facility, per award cycle.
- Application and supplementary materials provided during the nomination process will not be returned.
- The HE:IPSA winner will receive complimentary attendance to WPSC’s NW Patient Safety Conference in October for up to 5 team members to officially receive the Award.
Equitable Opportunities For All
- The WPSC is committed to ensuring a climate of inclusion for all member entities. We recognize that organizations have varying resources and may be in different parts of the journey towards health equity. In light of this, we recognize that information supplied may vary in detail from one member to another.
- Applicants are encouraged to share exciting, creative approaches to goals that they are progressing towards and/or have achieved, as well as learnings from the process.
Award Application
- Applicants must submit information on their health equity efforts against the backdrop of WPSC’s Innovation in Patient Safety Standards, which is comprised of 7 Health Equity Commitments.
- Innovation: This is a key Health Equity Commitment pillar that highlights how the organization is implementing innovative solutions to address disparities and advance health equity.
- Please limit your response for each Health Equity Commitment question to 500 words.
Prior Award Winners
- If your health system has won a Health Equity: Innovation in Patient Safety Award in the past, we kindly request that you wait two (2) years before applying again.
Factors to Consider
- Tell us about the measurable impact that your health equity work has made in your healthcare system and in the communities you serve. The Review Committee values applications that include metrics, methodologies and evidence of the resulting improved outcomes for patients.
- Describe how health equity is an integral part of the organization’s operations strategy and plans.
- Give us a clear picture of your approach to addressing health disparities. How is what you are doing different?
Supplemental materials
- Applicants are encouraged to submit additional materials such as dashboards and scorecards.
- Supporting documents must not exceed a total of 14 pages.
- All supplemental materials must be uploaded, together with your electronic application form, by the submission deadline.
Innovation in Patient Safety Commitments
The WPSC Health Equity: Innovation in Patient Safety Award is awarded based on our Innovation in Patient Safety Standards, comprised of 7 Health Equity Commitments:
- Patient Safety
- Equitable and Inclusive Organizational Policy
- Culturally Competent Care
- Shared Decision-Making
- Collection and Use of Data
- Community Collaboration For Solutions
- Innovation
Note:
- Patient safety & Innovation are the award’s overarching pillars.
- All submissions will be evaluated through a patient safety lens.
- We will be looking for exemplary performance in innovation.
Who should be involved in completing the WPSC Health Equity: Innovation In Patient Safety Award application?
Ideally, application should involve systemwide team members. Review the Health Equity Commitments and corresponding questions in the WPSC HE:IPSA application to determine which team members can best answer the questions.
Below are examples of potential individual team members to involve in completing the application:
| Health Equity Commitment | STAFF TO INVOLVE |
| 1. Patient Safety | Patient Safety Officer, Chief Quality Officer. |
| 2. Equitable & Inclusive Organizational Policy | Human Resources Director |
| 3. Culturally Competent Care | Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Patient Advocate and Community Engagement Lead, Interpreter Services Director. |
| 4. Shared Decision-Making | Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Patient Advocate and Chief Quality Officer, Patient and Family Advisory Council Members. |
| 5. Collection and Use of Data | Quality Improvement Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Information Officer. |
| 6. Community Collaboration for Solutions | Chief Population Health Officer, Community Relations & Equity Director. |
| 7. Innovation | All of the above. |
Below are definitions and descriptions of award criteria
Definition of Health Equity:
A state in which every individual has a fair & just opportunity to attain their full potential for health & well-being. It is where socially unfair & unjust health disparities do not exist.
Definition of Patient Safety (WHO):
A framework of organized activities that creates cultures, processes, procedures, behaviors, technologies & environments in health care that consistently & sustainably lower risks, reduce the occurrence of avoidable harm, make error less likely & reduce its impact when it does occur.
Award Health Equity Commitments
The award is based on seven Health Equity Commitment Pillars. These Pillars are the activities and actions applicants engage to address health equity issues toward improving patient safety and health care outcomes. Award judges will evaluate applications based on how an applicant approached each Pillar. All submissions will be evaluated through a patient safety lens. We will be looking for exemplary performance in innovation.
Pillar 1: Patient Safety
Pillar 2: Health Equity Commitment
Pillar 3: Community Collaboration for Solutions
Pillar 4: Addressing Disparities
Pillar 5: Innovation
Pillar 6: Social Determinants of Health
Pillar 7: Cultural Competence
Award Presentation
- All award recipients will be notified individually.
- All nominees are congratulated and receive recognition through the WPSC’s website and patient safety newsletter. Finalists and award winners will receive recognition at the annual NW Patient Safety Conference.
- Award recipients will receive 5 free registrations to the conference. If approved by the awardee’s organization, the WPSC will arrange for an onsite recognition event.
Award Winners
Check back September 1, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the application form?
The application form is located here.
It is a Word document and serves as a guide for application submission.
Applications are submitted by email to: WPSC@QUALITYHEALTH.ORG. Subject: HE Award Application
Who can apply?
Washington Patient Safety (WPSC) Health Equity: Innovation In Patient Safety Award is open to any Washington Patient Safety Coalition member in good standing.
Individuals & healthcare organizations in WA state. Washington healthcare organizations include hospitals, pharmacies, long term care (e.g. skilled nursing facilities & assisted living facilities), clinics and physician offices, insurers, laboratories, and other care related business are eligible.
How long does it take to complete the WPSC Health Equity: Innovation In Patient Safety Award application?
Once the information is gathered, depending on the level of detail provided, the WPSC Health Equity: Innovation In Patient Safety Award application should take approximately 4 hours to complete.
Note: Information collection to support the application will require input from various stakeholders from across the health system.
How often is the award?
Once a year.
What is the deadline to submit the WPSC Health Equity: Innovation In Patient Safety Award application?
May 31, 2025
How many times can I apply?
Once per award period.
If your organization has won a Health Equity: Innovation in Patient Safety Award in the past, we kindly request that you wait two (2) years before applying again.
Is there a limit on the number of applications from each organization?
No. However, there will be a limit of one award finalist per organization, per period.
Who should be involved in completing the WPSC Health Equity: Innovation In Patient Safety Award application?
Ideally, application should involve systemwide team members. Review the Health Equity Commitments and corresponding questions in the WPSC HE:IPSA application to determine which team members can best answer the questions.
Below are examples of potential individual team members:
| Health Equity Commitment | STAFF YOU MAY INCLUDE |
| 1. Patient Safety | Patient Safety Officer, Chief Quality Officer. |
| 2. Equitable & Inclusive Organizational Policy | Human Resources Director |
| 3. Culturally Competent Care | Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Patient Advocate and Community Engagement Lead, Interpreter Services Director. |
| 4. Shared Decision-Making | Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Patient Advocate and Chief Quality Officer, Patient and Family Advisory Council Members. |
| 5. Collection and Use of Data | Quality Improvement Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Information Officer. |
| 6. Community Collaboration for Solutions | Chief Population Health Officer, Community Relations & Equity Director. |
| 7. Innovation | All of the above. |
How can I contact you?
Email: WPSC@qualityhealth.org
Steve Levy
Executive Director
Washington Patient Safety Coalition, Foundation for Healthcare Quality
Office: 206 204-7383
https://www.qualityhealth.org/wpsc/
400 University St. Suite 300, Seattle, WA, 98101
The FHCQ is an AHRQ listed Patient Safety Organization
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