Patient Safety a Priority for Loveless at AGH
Meet Amy Loveless, a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS), whose passion for helping others has inspired a remarkable career in healthcare. For her, patient safety isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. As she explains, “I’ve always known I would work in healthcare, but it wasn’t until I started working in patient safety that I truly found my purpose. It’s become part of who I am, and I knew as soon as I began that this is what I was meant to do.”
Earning the prestigious CPPS credential required a deep understanding of patient safety across several critical domains: from leadership and systems thinking to culture and performance improvement. These competencies are the foundation upon which Lovelace has built a career dedicated to preventing harm and ensuring the safest possible care for patients.
Reflecting on her proudest moments, she emphasizes that every day is rewarding. However, an early near-miss experience in her career as a radiology professional profoundly impacted their approach to patient safety. “As a new mom with an infant at home, I was exhausted after being on-call for several days in a row. While handling a critical procedure, I had a gut feeling to stop and double-check everything. That decision prevented what could have been a serious incident. From that moment on, I’ve always been hypervigilant about patient safety procedures.”
This drive for safety is more than just instinct— Loveless also credits their faith and work-life balance for their professional success. “I start every morning by praying for the work I’m about to do, and I always strive to maintain a healthy work-life balance. My family is my foundation, and spending time with my sons, whether they’re here or in Lubbock, helps me recharge and be my best at work.”
In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, Loveless sees emerging trends like healthcare technology and interdisciplinary collaboration playing pivotal roles in improving patient outcomes. “At Artesia General Hospital, we’re already seeing improvements from key trends like patient portals, which empower patients to be more active in their healthcare decisions. We also practice daily collaboration between different disciplines like nurses, pharmacists, and respiratory therapists, which has significantly improved communication and patient care.”
When it comes to preventing medical errors, Loveless is a firm believer in both technical and human-centered approaches. “We use proper patient identifiers, barcode scanning for medications, and emphasize fall prevention measures. But the most important thing is treating patients as if they were your loved ones. Take a moment to imagine them as someone dear to you—what would your expectation of care be? That mindset creates a duty to provide the best possible care.”
For anyone starting out in the field of patient safety, she offers invaluable advice: “Research the incredible progress patient safety has made. Understand that mistakes in healthcare usually result from systems needing improvement, not from people wanting to cause harm. That perspective will guide you in advocating for safer care every day.”
With a relentless commitment to continuous improvement and a heart rooted in empathy, Loveless exemplifies what it means to be a true patient safety advocate. “What keeps me passionate,” they say, “is working alongside those who value patient safety as much as I do. Together, we can make a difference, one patient at a time.”