New Policy Supports Safety Defense – Michigan Medicine Headlines

About 4 minutes to read

Key points to remember:

• When we observe a situation that we believe compromises the safety of a patient, employee or visitor, we have a responsibility to report a concern.
• High reliability is only possible when we recognize the need to speak frankly And feel safe doing it.
• Security issues can be reported using the powerful universal HRO tool called ARCC. The fourth stage of the ARCC, the chain of command, is an important tool whose details and expectations are clearly defined in a new Chain of command policy. Chain of command documents should be in place by May 1, 2023.

Reporting when something is wrong is part of our daily lives. Hearing a strange noise coming from under our vehicle usually warrants a trip to the mechanic shop, or having a tree leaning too close to the house may mean it’s time to remove it. We might voice our concerns in these scenarios for different reasons, but one reason is likely to stand out above the rest: security.

At Michigan Medicine, when we observe a situation that we believe compromises the safety of a patient, employee or visitor, we have a responsibility to report a concern. This is an important part of cultivating a culture of safety in our HRO journey and acting as advocates for patients, families and each other.

A clear chain of command and a standard process for escalating concerns can help all employees speak up for safety and respond appropriately when concerns are raised.

Psychological safety is key

High reliability is only possible when we recognize the need to speak frankly And feel safe doing it. Creating psychological safety for team members is a job we all share – it involves acting as equals regardless of our official positions and valuing the opinions of everyone around us.

“We know that fear of others’ reaction can sometimes prevent team members from voicing or escalating their concerns,” said Nicole Templeton, executive director of patient safety. “By working together to promote a culture of safety and by making tools and resources available across the organization, we can ensure that every employee, in every role, feels safe, supported and valued when they work. speaks for safety.”

Escalating security issues with the ARCC

Whether you work in a patient care area or in an office, there is always a possibility of safety issues arising. These could involve professional conduct, communication breakdowns, medical emergencies or medication errors.

Security issues can be reported using the powerful universal HRO tool called ARCC – Aask a question, Rrequest a change, VSCommunicate a concern and use VScommanding hand.

Throughout April and May, this tool and its use in all areas of the organization will be highlighted.

Chain of command policy

The fourth stage of the ARCC, VShierarchy, is an important tool with clearly defined details and expectations in a new Chain of command policy. The policy specifies that leaders in all areas must have a visible and accessible chain of command clearly displayed for their teams. These chain of command documents should be in place by May 1, 2023.

Knowing and understanding the chain of command in your area is crucial – if an immediate supervisor cannot resolve a security issue that requires rapid escalation, it is important for team members to know who to contact for resolution.

“A lack of clear direction on how concerns should be raised and to whom to direct them can impact patient safety and outcomes,” Templeton said. “The new chain of command policy aims to ensure that all team members have the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively escalate concerns and keep patients, visitors and employees safe.”

Everyone is safer when a rapid escalation of concerns is possible. An effective chain of command is particularly important within healthcare organizations because it facilitates, rather than hinders, communication, teamwork and collaboration between healthcare teams. For more information on the next Chain of Command deadline or HRO skills and tools of the month, visit the High reliability website.