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    Welcome to my virtual home! Here is where I share my practice, beliefs, and experience supporting learning and improving for organizations, teams, and individuals. The Journal page is my Blog where my best intention is to write frequently ... well at least monthly ;-). Please visit the About and Services pages to learn more about my work, the Associates page to learn more about with whom I work, and the Voices page to learn more about my research. I look forward to connecting and making-meaning together! Ginna Crowe ginnac@learningandimproving.com

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12/02/2012 7:26 pm | Healthcare | 0 Comments

Healthcare working well..

To say I was nervous about my Rotator Cuff surgery was a bit of an understatement, actually a massive understatement.  My last surgery was a Swiss Cheese incident – the James  T. Reason kind of Swiss Cheese – a series of untoward events related to multiple levels of failures. In my case, the failures were related to all four of Reason’s levels of failure: organizational influences, unsafe supervision, preconditions for unsafe acts, and the unsafe acts themselves.

Reason’s model published in 1990 (2).

Perneger BMC Health Services Research 2005 5:71 doi:10.1186/1472-6963-5-71

Given my concern, the surgeon ordered an anesthesia consult. During the consult, we devised together a plan of action based on my past reactions and current concerns. I also shared with the nursing staff some of my fear based on past experience and the shared care plan we had developed. Several members of my family were with me (one a nurse) and all were aware of the shared plan and committed to seeing it implemented.  Things went smoothly and my outcome was a successful surgery with no-complications.  My story gets even better … when I started rehabilitation my Physical Therapist led me in the development of a shared care plan complete with staged goals. He was-and is-an amazing example of true partnership in care.

 Healthcare working well….. a gift.

 

← Previous Entries

  • WHERE AM I?

    I had a rather light travel schedule this summer largely due to rehabbing a successful rotator cuff repair. It is a wonderful experience when our healthcare system works like it should!

    Autumn followed with a head-spinning schedule - from sea to shining sea and from sea-level to mile high in the mountains. Although wearing on the body (watch out for that altitude sickness it can certainly sneak up on you), I was duly reminded and impressed with the richness of our country - the amazing diversity in geography, climate, culture, people and style. I found energy in all.

    One highlight this fall, however, was out of the country. I have the privilege of working with Impact Health Improvement Action Society of British Columbia (ImpactBC) which is a registered non-profit organization headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. (A beautiful city I might add!)

    ImpactBC is governed by a Board of Directors and operated by a dedicated team of staff and contractors located around British Columbia, Canada and the US. This innovative organization and dedicated group of people are diligently working to support a healthier society and improve the patient and provider experience at a cost that is affordable. Learn more about ImpactBC at: http://www.impactbc.ca/

  • NEWS

    Don Berwick's keynote presentation for the IHI 2011 National Forum, The Moral Test, reflected on his 16 months in Washington, DC, as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. He urged the improvement community, as always with heart and head, to move quickly to implement badly needed quality changes that will, by design, also lower costs. Read his thoughtful, actionable, and inspiring words located on http://www.ihi.org

    A recent publication of NICHQ (National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality), Powerful Partnerships: A Handbook for Families and Providers Working Together to Improve Care, is designed as a guide for family members and healthcare professionals working together to improve care. Although this guide is set in the context of children with special healthcare needs, it contains valuable information and guidance widely applicable on developing a powerful partnership between family, patients, and providers. (Available as PDF at http://www.nichq.org/)