The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) team at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics and Children’s of Alabama has been named the 2026 recipient of the Patient Safety First Award from the Society of Critical Care Medicine, recognizing its work to reduce unplanned extubations and advance patient safety.
The award was presented at the Critical Care Congress in Chicago and is given annually to only one intensive care unit or program, adult or pediatric, across the country.
Unplanned extubations, or the accidental removal of a breathing tube, are a serious and preventable safety event in critically ill patients. These events can lead to complications such as respiratory distress, emergency reintubation, longer hospital stays and increased health care costs.
To address this, the PICU team implemented a multidisciplinary, unit-wide approach focused on improving airway safety. Efforts included standardizing care practices, strengthening communication among team members and increasing accountability across all roles involved in patient care. Building on national guidelines from the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the Solutions for Patient Safety network, the team introduced additional targeted interventions that led to a sustained reduction in unplanned extubation rates.
As a result, the PICU achieved outcomes that outperform national benchmarks, positioning the program as a national leader in patient safety and quality improvement.
“The Patient Safety First Award celebrates what we can accomplish as a diverse critical care team caring for the sickest children in the state,” said Jeremy Loberger, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care. “The stakes are high in the PICU, but together we can provide the best care while maintaining a focus on continuous quality improvement and patient safety. While this award means a lot to us, improvement never stops and our eyes are on the horizon.”
Loberger emphasized that the achievement reflects a true team effort, with collaboration across leadership, prescribers, educators, bedside nurses and respiratory therapists.
“This award was a culmination of a lot of hard work across the entire PICU team,” said Christy Thomas, critical care nurse and quality improvement respiratory therapist lead. “We had incredible support from leadership, prescribers and educators, along with strong participation and buy-in from bedside nurses and respiratory therapists. Without their continued commitment, none of this would be possible.”
Thomas noted that while the exact number of patients impacted is unknown, the importance of prevention remains clear.
“We will never know the exact patient impact this has had, as it focuses on prevention,” Thomas explained. “What we do know is that unplanned extubations are directly associated with morbidity, mortality and increased health care costs among critically ill children. If we prevent even one, it is worth all of the time and hard work.”
The Patient Safety First Award recognizes innovative and effective initiatives that improve care for critically ill and injured patients. The honor includes a commemorative plaque and complimentary registration to the Critical Care Congress.
This recognition highlights the continued commitment of the UAB Department of Pediatrics and Children’s of Alabama to delivering safe, high-quality care and advancing best practices in pediatric critical care.