Garrett Regional Medical Center’s Post

A while back, I stopped seeing healthcare through the eyes of a paramedic alone and started advocating for patient centricity. From my years responding to emergencies, I knew the system was adept at addressing immediate crises. Yet, I saw that ongoing patient care often lacked a personalized touch. And no: - It didn't reduce my respect for the critical role of emergency care. - It didn't imply that healthcare workers weren't doing their absolute best within the system. - It didn't mean that traditional healthcare practices were all flawed. What it did mean was that there was room for growth – for a system that listens to and incorporates patient voices as a standard practice. Since I shifted my focus: - I've been part of initiatives that increase patient involvement in care planning. - I've witnessed the development of policies that prioritize patient feedback. - I've contributed to educational programs that equip patients to advocate for themselves. "From the ambulance to the advocacy table," is a journey I often reflect on. And a decade later, I've never been clearer on my reasons to champion patient-centric healthcare. The result? A richer dialogue between patients and healthcare providers, more nuanced care plans, and a system increasingly responsive to the unique stories each patient brings. As a former paramedic turned patient advocate, I believe in the power of this approach to heal not just the ailment but the whole person. #patientexperience #patientempowerment #patientempowerment #healthcarereform #patientadvocacy

What is wrong with healthcare? According to Becker's Healthcare “Hospital Review,” less than 24% of healthcare board members, those responsible for strategic decisions involving care delivery, have clinical experience. This statistic is alarming - an artifact of a bureaucracy no longer centered around delivering patient care. Thus, at Access Pediatric we stand at the forefront of a pivotal movement in healthcare - where physician leadership and ownership are not just valued, but are the core of our operational ethos. 🩺 We take immense pride in announcing that 100% of our current leadership team has hands-on experience in care delivery. This isn't just a statistic for us; it's a testament to our unwavering commitment to understanding and addressing the real needs of both our patients and healthcare providers. It fosters an environment where clinical expertise drives innovation, and your child’s needs are at the heart of every strategy and action. 💭 Your Thoughts? We're interested in hearing from you! How do you think physician leadership impacts patient care and healthcare innovation? Should administrators have some experience in care delivery? Observe surgeries and check-in on patients? Share your thoughts and let's discuss how we can collectively shape a brighter, healthier future for our children. #PhysicianLeadership #HealthcareInnovation #PatientCare #AccessPediatric #HealthcareExcellence #telehealth #changehealthcare

CHA is advocating for action to improve the state’s Certificate of Need process to remove barriers to healthcare access and support the state’s economy. At a press conference this week, Connecticut hospitals outlined their advocacy priorities for the 2024 legislative session, including supporting the healthcare workforce, addressing administrative strain and improving the state’s regulatory environment, supporting communities and patients, the importance of sufficient Medicaid reimbursements, and protecting healthcare access by avoiding policies that would harm care delivery.   At the press conference, experts from hospitals across the state highlighted the importance of these issues, including Barbara Durdy, Senior Director Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Hartford HealthCare; Todd Liu, Vice President, Accountable Care and General Counsel, Griffin Hospital; and Ena Williams, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Yale New Haven Hospital.   Read more about CHA's legislative priorities in CT Insider at the 🔗 below. #caringforct #connecticuthospitals #CertificateOfNeed #healthcareaccessibility #healthcareaffordability #healthcareequity

We all can agree to this! Emergency departments (EDs) are vital to American healthcare, yet they've suffered from misuse and neglect for years. Finally, CMS is proposing a quality metric addressing ER boarding, a long overdue step. We all must work together to create a fair, accurate, and beneficial metric for patient advocacy and improved care, ultimately aiming to eradicate hallway medicine. Share your feedback through the survey link provided: https://lnkd.in/dvA_p5-i Here are the proposed criteria: 1️⃣ Patient waited over 1 hour for placement in a treatment space in the ED. 2️⃣ Encounter concluded without the patient undergoing a completed medical screening examination (MSE) by qualified medical personnel (QMP). 3️⃣ Patients boarded in the ED for more than 4 hours (time from admission order to patient departure for admitted patients). 4️⃣ Patients experienced an ED length of stay (LOS) of over 8 hours (from ED arrival to departure). It's crucial to voice your thoughts on this matter. Nick Zenarosa MD,FACEP Thom Herrmann Jeff Lawrence Shane Cole Jori Short MSN RN #EmergencyCare #PatientAdvocacy #HealthcareImprovement #QualityMetrics #ERBoarding #HealthcareReform

I can really appreciate Blake Madden's nuanced take on the contentious issue of physician-owned hospitals (POHs). He dives deep into both sides of the debate, sparked anew by Senator James Lankford's bill to repeal the current ban on POHs. On one hand, supporters argue for increased competition and autonomy for physicians, bolstered by studies suggesting significant Medicare savings. On the flip side, organizations like the American Hospital Association warn of ethical dilemmas and the risk of undermining the broader #healthcare system. Madden leans toward lifting the ban, questioning the validity of the counter-arguments while also presenting them fairly. He highlights the complexities in the healthcare landscape, calling for a careful evaluation of the financial incentives at play for physicians. The piece serves as a well-rounded primer on a topic fraught with intricacies, and it underscores the need for a thoughtful approach to any prospective policy shifts. #WorthTheRead https://lnkd.in/epEn5xKb

The issue of overcrowding in Emergency Departments is significant, and solutions seem scarce. Patients often endure long waits, whether they're awaiting an evaluation by a healthcare provider, discharge, or admission. The strategies mentioned in the article, devised by physicians and healthcare systems, are commendable. However, introducing trained patient advocates into the Emergency Department could further enhance patient flow, address patient inquiries and worries, and free up clinical staff to focus on essential medical tasks, thereby optimizing operations. This proposed solution, not covered in the article, appears to be a promising approach. What do you think? Email us for a consultation patientadvocateint@gmail.com https://lnkd.in/eEHs9VwM

Should Hospital Executives Take the Hippocratic Oath? Medicine is fundamentally about caring for people... but does it truly center on humanity in practice today? The Hippocratic Oath, a well-known set of ethical guidelines, was designed to ensure that physicians uphold professional integrity and prioritize patient welfare. But how relevant is it in the modern medical context? A couple of weeks ago, we opened a discussion on this topic when we shared a snippet of Dr. Don Berwick Senate hearing where he suggested that all individuals involved in healthcare should swear to the Hippocratic Oath and we received many thought-provoking responses. One notable perspective comes from Luke Messac, physician and the author of Your Money or Your Life: Debt Collection in American Medicine. Listen in to hear his insights. The Hippocratic Oath emphasizes the ethical duties of physicians. Considering the significant impact of their decisions on patient care and resources, should hospital executives also uphold these ethical standards? Taking the Hippocratic Oath could underline their commitment to patient welfare, ethical decision-making, and leadership integrity, bridging the gap between clinical care and administrative decisions. Should they pledge to prioritize patient health in all strategies and policies? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #Healthcare #HippocraticOath #HospitalExecutives #EthicsInHealthcare #PatientCare #HealthcareLeadership

This thought-provoking article from The Guardian that I’m sharing below, the emphasis on fostering a no-blame culture within healthcare settings is both compelling and critical. This approach is not just about shifting attitudes; it’s about fundamentally transforming how we address and learn from errors and adverse events in patient care. Creating an environment where healthcare professionals feel supported and encouraged to openly share their experiences, including mistakes, is essential. It is only through transparency and open communication that we can truly dissect and understand the root causes of errors, leading to actionable insights and systemic improvements. Moreover, embracing a culture that prioritises learning over fault-finding empowers teams to innovate and improve. It promotes a sense of collective responsibility towards patient safety, where every member is an active participant in the continuous quest for excellence. This not only enhances the quality of care but also contributes to a more supportive and resilient healthcare system. As we reflect on the insights from The Guardian’s article, let us champion the principles of openness, knowledge sharing, and learning from mistakes. These are not just ideals to aspire to; they are practical necessities that can significantly impact patient safety and care outcomes. Let’s be part of the transformation, advocating for a healthcare environment where every voice is heard, and every lesson is a stepping stone towards better care for all. https://lnkd.in/gVfJ-PtC.

Those who work in healthcare study and train for years to develop the knowledge, expertise and resulting confidence to make decisions that are in the best interests of their patients. Yet as much as training and knowledge are important in guiding decisions, these alone will not result in excellent care that meets each patient's goals and that aligns with their values. That’s the view of Peter Pronovost MD, PhD, FCCM, UH’s Chief Quality and Clinical Transformation Officer and Veale Distinguished Chair in Leadership and Clinical Transformation. Families, too, he says, have many important things to teach caregivers — consider it their experiential wisdom — especially important in patients with chronic or complex conditions. In fact, Dr. Pronovost argues, the ability to honor this wisdom is essential for safe, effective care. At UH, we’re training all our physicians and staff to be more attuned to important moments with families and to more fully respect the experiential wisdom expressed by the patient's family and loved ones — and to also listen more closely to nurses' and all caregivers' voices. Read more from Dr. Pronovost on this initiative at Becker’s Hospital Review at https://lnkd.in/gSUpDb7E #patientsafety #patientexperience #experientialwisdom #patientsfirst

It was so great to catch up with Josh Wymer, DNP, MSPM, MA, RN, CNOR, NI-BC, NEA-BC, CHCIO, CDH-E, FACHE, FAAN. He is such a powerful leader in healthcare and IT for nursing, infusing his experience as a practicing nurse with vision and collaboration. Virtual Nursing is here- but some models will thrive and some will not make it. What does he think must be there? Trust. You can't code that into a product:) We must be committed to ethical design by and for nurses and patients. #virtualnursing #nurseled #telehealth