Congratulations to Abbeville General for winning the Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA) 2019 Safety Star Award for patient safety initiatives!  Each year, LHA presents the Safety Star Award to three healthcare facilities who have successfully implemented ideas or processes that have improved patient safety.  Abbeville General was one of the winners out of the healthcare facilities that applied to win this prestigious award! The objective of the LHA program is to acknowledge members of the LHA who are committed to quality and safety and who have developed innovative ideas that improve patient safety within their facility.  Abbeville General will receive recognition at the LHA Summer Conference in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Abbeville General coveted their award by implementing safety tools and processes to prevent patient elopements.  Security technology in the newly constructed Behavioral Medicine Center (BMC) and the Emergency Department has allowed Abbeville General to reach a goal of ZERO elopements, which has been sustained for over 6 months! This accomplishment reduces risks to patients as well as employees while improving the environment and quality of care.  Thank you to all of the employees that helped make this project a success! This is another example of Abbeville General providing Access to Quality Care Close to Home!