Ebola — this word has its own hashtag, millions of tweets, hundreds if not thousands of articles in the past month, and the power to frighten many people. Fear is playing a large role in how this disease is perceived, which is a poor foundation for managing its spread. Communicating Key Information Electronic health records (EHR) are essential tools in clinical care. When written words in an electronic record become the primary way information is shared among busy clinical staff, I believe we inject increased risk into clinical care. The nation is following the Dallas case almost minute … [Read more...]
CMS Requirements Will Be “Trick” for Hospital Budgets this October
October means fall leaves, Halloween goblins…and a new “spook” if your local hospital is one that will receive less money from the government. This new Halloween treat will last for a full year however, not just one night. The new healthcare law requires CMS to monitor quality and safety in hospitals and to rank order their results. The legal mandate is to deny payment to hospitals that fall in the bottom quarter of this list. They are designated worst performing and will lose money as a result. A New Beginning or a Cliff? The law has mandated pay for performance based on three categories: … [Read more...]
What Can The Magnificent 7 Teach Us About Hospitals?
If you have never seen the 1960s blockbuster old western, The Magnificent Seven, you may want to have a look. The movie is popular in Russia even today. Yes, the lead star, Yul Brynner was Russian, but the story itself carries several messages about values and priorities. These messages may resonate with clinicians and administrators. Like the Seven in the movie who chose to take on a battle for the struggling farmers of a Mexican village, hospital leaders today are developing survival tactics to deal with a very aggressive healthcare marketplace. The top 7 strategic priorities from the … [Read more...]
No Man is an Island…Analogy for Safety
It is devastating when we make a mistake that causes harm while caring for patients. Clinicians are human and humans make mistakes. This is the very big “elephant in the room” of Patient Safety. Stories about these errors, and infections are often heart wrenching. Some clinicians who were so devastated by a mistake have left their practice. Patients talk about these issues and share their stories more than ever. The Walking Gallery uses art to bridge the gap between patients’ experiences and the industry that cares for them. We can learn from every story. Poetry as a Teacher I am reminded … [Read more...]