O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T 2 1
Even if you have physician champions, you're still likely to encounter those
unwilling to get on board with the changes. For the docs who scoff at the idea,
Mr. Byrum recommends an honest, but tough, talk.
The best way to start this conversation with your logic-driven surgeons is to
focus on evidence that shows adopting a culture of safety improves case out-
comes, says Mr. Byrum. He notes that research clearly shows that if a team is
working well together and feels comfortable speaking up, the risk of adverse
events is diminished.
"It's fair for the administrator to help the surgeons understand their role in
the process," he says. "They're the ones setting the tone in the OR. The
administrator should tell the surgeon, 'Look if you're open and tell staff to
speak up during the case, they will. If you don't, or you're adversarial, they
will not speak up, or if they do, it will be too late.'"
And while you surely value your physicians' time and effort — and appreciate
their role as breadwinners — you can't back down in your quest for a culture of
safety, says Mr. Byrum.
"It almost needs to be a condition of employment," he says. "You may be a
tremendous surgeon, but if you can't work with your team, eventually a mistake
will be made."
OSM
E-mail kgapinski@outpatientsurgery.net.
