DALLAS, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Professional Services LLC, a subsidiary of Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), and Baptist Health have signed an agreement to deliver Synergistic Medical and Resource Team (SMART) training to health care systems. The training enables medical staff to prevent or mitigate patient safety threats originating from human interaction and systemic error.

"Raytheon believes, as we do, in improving the quality of health care and reducing medical errors," said Judi Miller, director of the Institute for Patient Safety and Medical Simulation. "They will help us reach other organizations that are interested in positively changing their culture to one of safety and quality," she said.

SMART training ensures the best possible performance even in stressful situations – such as in emergency rooms or trauma centers – by making sure that all information is communicated clearly and understood by all.

"In today's changing health care environment, the act of balancing accurate treatment and patient satisfaction provides a challenge for managing learning costs, access and quality," said Raymond Matteson, director of global business development for Raytheon Professional Services.

"Baptist Health's Institute for Patient Safety and Medical Simulation needed a partner that could bring best practices in learning design to SMART training and scale it for delivery to a broader audience," he said.

The Institute for Patient Safety and Medical Simulation is a partnership between Baptist Health and Auburn University. The Institute's mission is to improve the quality of health care while reducing the likelihood of medical errors. The 22,500-square-foot facility was conceived as a training center for new and experienced health care professionals. The training teaches physicians, nurses, nursing students, residents, medical students, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, paramedics and other health care professionals through a unique combination of simulation training and an emphasis on SMART training. More information about SMART training is available at www.raytheon.com/businesses/other/rps.

Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 89 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

SOURCE Raytheon Company