ECHO
October 2017 Vol. 19 Issue 9
STORIES AND NEWS FROM THE HSS FAMILY
HSS Partners with LifeWings to Enhance Culture of Safety
Annual Engagement Day Celebrates HSS Culture of Excellence
of our extraordinary patient outcomes at
C
HSS. We have implemented several programs
celebrate that, the annual Engagement Day took
ulture is one of the most important characteristics of HSS and one that really
S
afety and quality are part of the foundation
defines who we are. A key ingredient to our
culture of excellence is engagement. To honor and
and events over the years dedicated to safety education, such as the annual Culture of Safety Day, Patient Safety Leadership Walk-rounds and the Good Catch of the Month Award to name a few.
place on September 12 in the Richard L. Menschel Steve Harden, Chairman and CEO of LifeWings Partners, addressed the crowd at our annual Culture of Safety Day event last October.
Education Center. The event was a success, with more than 1,700 members of the HSS family in attendance. Individuals
To further support and enhance our culture of safety,
encouraging HSS family members to speak up when
HSS entered into a partnership with LifeWings
they see a possible safety issue.
last year, and we are now gearing up to take that
In November, LifeWings consultants will return to
partnership to the next level.
activities including an engagement board where
HSS to work with us on our journey, beginning with
HSS family members were encouraged to finish the
In October 2016, we invited Steve Harden, who
a two-day retreat where HSS leadership will learn
speaks nationally and works with hospitals all
the critical details necessary to fully implement
over the world to help improve team dynamics and
such a transformational initiative. Following the
communication, to speak at our annual Culture of
retreat, patient safety training sessions will begin
Safety Day event. He discussed the importance of
for all members of our OR and perioperative staff.
high performing teams in keeping our patients safe.
These trainings will provide us with world-class
Steve is the Chairman and CEO of LifeWings and a former Air Force pilot. His company, LifeWings, is that has helped more than 140 healthcare organiza-
operations,” said Todd J. Albert, MD, Surgeon
tions implement the best safety practices from
in Chief and Medical Director, who is leading the
aviation and other high reliability industries. Steve
initiative. “Successful team training and an enhanced
has developed a national reputation for his insight and
safety culture will lead to a happier workplace, more
experience in helping healthcare institutions improve
efficient operations and fewer complications in our
their quality of care. This was the start of an ongoing
operating environment. It will lead to an HSS we
relationship between LifeWings and HSS.
will be even more proud to be a part of.”
Conversations with Steve reinforced the idea that to
Physicians from across the organization are
get even ‘better’ we have to actively work on improving
serving as champions of the LifeWings initiative,
our already great culture of safety. Since last October,
acknowledging its importance to HSS.
Steve and his team, including Colonel Korky von
Gregory A. Liguori, MD, Director of the Department
Kessel who will serve as our organization’s safety
of Anesthesiology, Anesthesiologist-in-Chief and
coach, have been back to HSS several times to work
LifeWings MD Champion, recognizes that, despite
on a strategic and transformational plan to achieve
our best-in-class patient care and outcomes, there
this. This includes training our high performing
is always room for improvement.
teams, standardizing and improving core processes
“HSS is an outstanding institution with a thriving
such as timeouts and handoffs, and addressing and
culture of excellence” said Dr. Liguori. “The physicians, nurses, staff and administration are the best of the best. Yet, despite that fact, every opportunity to improve must be embraced. Moving an organization from great to exceptional happens very rarely in
engagement and thoughtful feedback.
any industry. I am excited by the LifeWings initiative
will take place on November 17, followed by the Culture of Safety Survey from November 28 – December 8.
Some examples of answers included, “I’ve seen my opinions put into practice!,” “When an issue occurs it is rectified to the best possible solution” and “HSS is a great team!”
Employee Safety Team member Jon Cinkay (left) shared tips and best practices for staying safe at work with Patient Care Directors.
Additionally, representatives from Case Management, Central Sterile Processing, Employee Safety, Rehabilitation, Information Technology, Language Services, Service Excellence and Patient Access Services were on hand to educate those in attendance about exciting initiatives taking place across the organization. Occupational Health Services was also available to provide flu shots. The event kicked off our Gallup Engagement Survey, which is important to HSS, as it helps us to identify opportunities for continued improvement.
CONTINUED on page 2
from good to great is difficult. Moving an organization
improving thanks to your continuous This year, our annual Culture of Safety Day
sentence “I know my opinion counts because…”
to even further enhance our patient safety. “This initiative is critical to HSS’ culture and
Our culture of safety and quality is always
of excellence through several different interactive
teamwork, communication and coordination skills
a team of physicians, astronauts, nurses and pilots
Save the Date
were given the opportunity to experience our culture
because I believe our hospital is within striking distance of exceptional. Then, once we have achieved exceptional, there is only one thing left to do – get better still!”
CONTINUED on page 2
Inside
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Health and Wellness Competition HSS Family Members Recognized