As the President and CEO of an academic medical center, my primary responsibility includes the care and safety for our patients and the needs of my staff. One feeds the other. I make sure my team feels supported and empowered to raise concerns and mistakes without fear, and make recommendations for improvement. This results in world-class patient care.
A recent case in Tennessee involving a nurse who accidentally administered a drug that caused the death of a patient has highlighted the complexity of healthcare delivery. Healthcare is complex and intricate. This industry is among the most complex in the entire world.
Hospitals like Tampa General, where my role as president and CEO is to ensure patient safety, have established highly-organized processes and protocols to ensure a safe environment for patients and staff. We have designed a system to identify small risks and ensure safety and efficiency. All procedures are carefully reviewed and are rechecked. To ensure safety, we rely not only upon these measures but also on sophisticated technology. We also rely on our nurses and team members to continuously monitor and report any issues. As such, we share in the responsibility of their actions.
No matter what industry, a system or organization is designed to deliver the best patient care. This is how high-functioning groups function. A properly managed organization places accountability and responsibility on all employees and does not rest on the shoulders of one individual. It is wrong to single out one nurse for making a mistake that could irrevocably change her entire life.
Although I don’t know everything about the case, I did speak with colleagues and read the main news. I can assure you that I have never seen a nurse being prosecuted for making a mistake in a system that should have been protected in my nearly thirty years of healthcare.
This case could have been avoided. However, the organization was responsible for defending its employees and holding them accountable after a tragedy.
Nurses are true heroes. They do the most difficult jobs in healthcare. They care about the people they are entrusted with and view their job as a vocation, not a profession. We must support them and their team members as industry leaders when they are tirelessly working for what is right.
This case is a warning sign, not only for the healthcare industry, but for all industries. Leaders must create an environment that is psychologically safe for employees so they can do their best work without fear. Organizations should provide a safe environment for employees to be themselves and be honest.
John Couris is the president and CEO at Tampa General Hospital. Follow John Couris to learn more. LinkedIn.
