GMISS – Greater Minnesota Initiative for Safe Surgery - involves more than 30 outstate surgical facilities whose representatives meet monthly to make a difference in surgery safety.  The purpose of GMISS is to encourage and promote integrated, comprehensive safe patient care in the surgical environment in greater Minnesota through a transparent, collaborative multi-system approach.  To disseminate consistent information and develop intercollegial, standards based approach to safe surgical patient care through shared policies and practices.

Below you’ll find more information about GMISS.  Or click one of these links to read more about how GMISS is working to create a safe patient experience in the surgical environment.

How We Created a Safety Society by Lisa Moschkau an article written for *Outpatient Surgery Magazine on the need for GMISS, how the society was put together and how they work to involve patients with their efforts. 
*Article republished with the permission of Outpatient Surgery Magazine

Surgery Scheduling: A Piece to the Safe Surgery Puzzle - a meeting for area clinic & OR surgery schedulers & managers to learn, grow, and brainstorm the practice and process used to schedule surgical procedures safely and efficiently.

About GMISS
GMISS began in February 2007. Monthly meetings, first Tuesday of the month
Over 30 Interested Hospitals and Surgical Centers participate in person or by e-communication
Approximately 18 people, 11 facilities in attendance each meeting

• Abbott NW Ctr for Outpt Surgery, Sartell
• Albany Area Hosp & Med Center, Albany
• Albert Lea Medical Center, Albert Lea
• Brainerd Lakes Surgery Center, Brainerd
• Buffalo Hospital, Buffalo
• CentraCare Surgery Center, St. Cloud
• MIMIS/Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby
• Douglas County Hospital, Alexandria
• Fairview Northland Med Center, Princeton
• Glencoe Regional Health Services, Glencoe
• Hutchinson Area Health Care, Hutchinson
• Kanabec Hospital, Mora
• Lake Region Healthcare Corp, Fergus Falls
• Lakewood Health System, Staples
• Long Prairie Memorial Hosp, Long Prairie
• Midsota Plastic Surgey, St. Cloud
• Mille Lacs Health System, Onamia
• Monticello Big Lake Comm Hosp, Monticello
• Pavillion Surgical Center, Duluth
• Paynesville Area HC System, Paynesville
• Redwood Falls Area Hospital, Redwood Falls
• Rice Memorial Hospital, Willmar
• Riverwood Healthcare Center, Aitkin
• St. Cloud Ctr for Ophthalmic Surgery, St. Cloud
• St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud
• St. Cloud Surgical Center, St. Cloud
• St. Cloud VA Medical Center, St. Cloud
• St. Joseph’s Area Health Services, Park Rapids
• St. Joseph’s Hospital, Brainerd
• St. Gabriel's Hospital, Little Falls
• St. Mary’s Regional Health Care, Detroit Lakes
• St. Michael's Hosp, Sauk Centre
• Stevens Community Med Center, Morris
• Tri-County Hospital, Wadena
  (*Actual Attendance/Physical Participation)   

Discussion topics:

• Site marking
• Time out
• VTE prophylaxis
• Pharmaceutical Waste
• Antibiotic timing and other infection control issues
• Safety blades and neutral zone
• Medication reconciliation in OR
• Informed consent
• Safe Site Call-to-Action\Preop checklists