Partnering with YOU: Dr. Caesar Gonzales, VP of Medical Affairs
Quality and safety are central to what we do and who we are as health care professionals. “Safety ultimately boils down to individuals’ daily actions. If leaders talk about safety and safe practice, their teams will likely practice safely as caregivers and providers,” Carol Stockmeier (Zero Harm). When I first read Zero Harm, I loved this quote so much that I wrote it on my office white board and never erased it. It has been there for over a year now and serves as a daily reminder and call to action.
As providers and caregivers, we have the most trusted job in the world. We care for people when they are injured, sick, weak, and in great pain. Their time in the hospital is among the most vulnerable experiences that they will have. They trust us to do the things they cannot do for themselves. What we do and the way we treat them becomes seared in their memory forever. Although it is never our purpose to get them ill, or make it more difficult for them to recover, if we are not careful, this is exactly what can happen. We must always go above and beyond to protect them from the harm that may befall them in the hospital. Instead, we must facilitate the healing process so that they can return home safely.
Every one of us is a leader. Some have a title, while others influence solely through the examples they show by the way they serve their patients. How we conduct ourselves as caregivers is a beacon of light for all around. When we wash our hands between every patient encounter, when we wear our masks consistently, when we always use disinfection and sterile technique, it signals to those around us that we care about our patients and will always protect them from harm. When they see us do these things, new employees, travelers, and visitors will follow our lead and also perform the necessary steps to protect our patients.
As a system, we have made great strides over the past years and months because of our commitment to providing the best care possible. We had a successful Joint Commission survey with no high-level findings. The surveyors were praising all of you on their way out, for the drastic improvement you have made since our previous survey three years ago. We have gone from a leapfrog D to right on edge of Leapfrog B (C++). This fall we will get an opportunity to blast up into the B range and possibly higher. All of you made this happen! I am so proud to work with a such a great group of caregivers and providers. Our future is bright, and as a healthcare system, we will only continue to improve because you care so much about the patients you serve. Thank you all for the passion and commitment you bring to this place of healing every day!
