STRHS Pulaski Recognized for Hospital-Wide Zero Harm in All Four Eligible Categories

STRHS Pulaski among only 16 hospitals statewide to achieve distinction

PULASKI, Tenn. – Southern Tennessee Regional Health System (STRHS) Pulaski has once again been recognized by the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) for its commitment to patient safety, earning the 2025 Zero Harm Award from the Tennessee Center for Patient Safety (TCPS).

For 2025, STRHS Pulaski achieved hospital-wide zero harm in all four eligible healthcare-associated infection categories, placing the hospital among only 16 hospitals statewide to attain this distinction.

The four categories include:

• Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI)
• Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI)
• Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI)
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia

“This recognition reflects the commitment our entire team makes to patient safety each and every day,” said Jason Fugleberg, chief executive officer of STRHS Pulaski. “Achieving zero harm across all four eligible categories requires consistency, teamwork and an unwavering focus on doing what is best for our patients. I am incredibly proud of our physicians, nurses and team members for reaching this milestone.”

The Zero Harm Awards provide meaningful recognition to hospitals and clinical departments that achieve zero healthcare-associated infections across a calendar year. The awards spotlight healthcare organizations that are working to eliminate preventable harm, save patient lives and avoid unnecessary healthcare costs.

STRHS Pulaski has now received Zero Harm recognition for multiple consecutive years. For the 2024 award year, the hospital achieved zero healthcare-associated infections in three categories — CAUTI, CLABSI and MRSA. Achieving hospital-wide zero harm in all four eligible categories for 2025 represents another significant milestone in the hospital’s ongoing commitment to quality and safety.

Eligible facilities include acute care and pediatric hospitals that submit data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and voluntarily confer data rights to THA. The Tennessee Department of Health partners with THA to validate the data. Hospitals must also meet established eligibility requirements, including minimum patient or line-day thresholds for applicable infection categories.

Being one of only 16 hospitals statewide to achieve hospital-wide zero harm in all four eligible categories underscores STRHS Pulaski’s continued focus on maintaining a culture of safety and providing high-quality care close to home.

“At STRHS Pulaski, patient safety is not simply a goal — it is part of how we care for our community every day,” Fugleberg said. “This achievement belongs to every team member who remains vigilant, follows evidence-based practices and continually looks for ways to make care safer for our patients.”