Webinar

Building a safety net program for diagnostic excellence: MD Anderson’s story

60 minutes

Join Press Ganey's Dr. Tejal Gandhi, MD, MPH, CPPS, Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's Dr. Carmen Esther Gonzalez, MD, MSHQS, FACP, FACMQ, and Tonita Bates, DNP, for an in-depth look at how The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center developed a high-impact safety net program to catch and prevent diagnostic errors—resulting in over 280 averted harm events to date.

This session highlights the creation and evolution of the Actionable Finding Vigilance (AFVU) Unit, a dedicated team designed to address diagnostic imaging significant actionable findings and strengthen follow-up processes across the enterprise.

You’ll gain insight into how this proactive unit was developed and how it functions within the broader infrastructure of MD Anderson’s patient safety strategy. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for designing similar programs that elevate diagnostic safety and drive measurable improvements.

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Featured speakers:

Dr. Carmen Gonzalez, MD, MSHQS,
Chief Patient Safety Officer, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Dr. Carmen E. Gonzalez is a Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, and Chief Patient Safety Officer at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Quality improvement processes and the provision of the best evidence-based patient care in a safe environment while improving patient satisfaction are Dr. Gonzalez's passions in serving the MD Anderson community. She works to foster improvements in cancer patients' care and those with oncologic emergencies in the Acute Cancer Care Center. Her research work and publications have been on pneumonia in cancer patients, sepsis, healthcare handoff, and end-of-life issues in patients with cancer, among others.

Dr. Gonzalez is certified in Quality Medicine from the American College of Medical Quality since 2013. In December 2017, she obtained a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety degree at Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Gonzalez currently leads the Patient Safety Quality Officer Program. She co-leads various institutional safety/quality initiatives, including High-Reliability organizing, the Tiered Readiness Briefing, the Patient Safety Officer on-call, and the Patient Safety Incident Command.

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Tonita Bates, DNP,
Chair APRN Magnet Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Tonita Bates, DNP is an advanced practice provider and manager of the Actionable Finding Vigilance Unit (AFVU) at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The AFVU serves as a safety net system for diagnostic imaging significant actionable findings by enhancing communication and promoting safety for providers and patients. With over a decade of nursing experience, she is deeply passionate about healthcare innovation, quality, and patient safety. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to driving transformative change.

Dr. Bates played a pivotal role in the creation of the Hemovigilance Unit—an internationally recognized, first-of-its-kind department focused on improving transfusion safety. Her leadership has also extended to professional development and recognition, serving as chair and founding member of the APRN Magnet Committee, which celebrates and elevates the contributions of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses across the organization.

With a strong foundation in frontline care, both as a nurse and an APRN, Dr. Bates brings a unique blend of clinical insight, strategic leadership, and a proven track record of measurable improvements in healthcare quality and safety.