Tired of being tired? Me too!
A couple of quick items this week. As is frequently the case, I keep something of a digital scrapbook of ideas for the blog in my draft email folder. If I see a news item or some such that I think might be worth sharing, I’ll set it aside with the intent of using it at a later date. As things are wont to do, competing priorities, breaking news, etc., will sometimes push other items out of the way and I try to remember to go back and dig out stuff that continues to be at least somewhat timely—and sometimes what was kind of fresh in the moment can become even more significant over time.
For example, way back in June 2020 (if that doesn’t make me sound like an old codger, I don’t know what would), our friends in Chicago released an issue of its Quick Safety newsletter providing some thoughts regarding the challenges in promoting well-being during a crisis. At that point, I don’t know that many would have predicted that we would still be in the thick of it almost 18 months later and, anecdotally (doing client work and overhearing conversations as I travel), it does seem that folks are reaching the point of wearing out. I have no reason to think that is not the case for you folks as well, so this might be something you’d want to share with your organization—or maybe even at the Thanksgiving table.
Item #2 for this week kind of spins off the whole conversation regarding the management of workplace violence—the importance of being able to rapidly summon assistance in an emergency. Panic alarms are intermittently used in healthcare, but I think that, as part of being able to manage workplace violence, they are going to become ever more prevalent, particularly in remote locations—both within the “four walls” of your organization and in any community settings (clinics, business offices, etc.). In exchange for a wee bit of information, you can download a white paper from the good folks at Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare that discusses some of the considerations. Before you know it, budget season will be upon us and this might be something to think about adding to the mix.
About the Author: Steve MacArthur is a safety consultant with The Greeley Company in Danvers, Mass. He brings more than 30 years of healthcare management and consulting experience to his work with hospitals, physician offices, and ambulatory care facilities across the country. He is the author of HCPro's Hospital Safety Director's Handbook and is contributing editor for Healthcare Safety Leader. Contact Steve at stevemacsafetyspace@gmail.com.