United Flight 2042
Yesterday at about 7:20am, I was standing with several classmates at our gate in the Washington Reagan airport. A voice came over the loud-speaker: “United flight 2042 to San Francisco is now delayed due to a crew member shortage. A replacement crew member is on a flight to Washington, and the new departure time is 9:30am.” People are around us groaned and looked to grab seats at the gate and surrounding restaurant…
As I reflect on the first day of the conference, it is fitting that our trip to TTE began in this way. Among the many takeaways, it is clear from my first year of medical school and from our first-day discussions that communication and teamwork are everything. The airline industry values its personnel and the critical roles that they each play to such an extent, that they have built protocols to ensure a fully functioning team before take-off.… Continue reading
“We never compete on safety.”
“We never compete” are three words that are rarely heard in a row among medical professionals. By nature, there is significant competition in the realm of healthcare, whether between hospitals or individuals. For this reason, Dr. Mayer’s statement stands out to me that among healthcare organizations, “we never compete on safety.”
I have been amazed at the common experiences shared by nurses, medical students, and residents alike despite representing diverse areas of training and geographical regions of the United States. We have a tremendous opportunity to learn from each other. When it comes to patient safety, we all share a common goal, regardless of rivalries, personality conflicts, or other barriers that threaten patient safety. That is, to share best practices and follow the evidence to standardized practices that lead to optimal outcomes. Never is there a stronger need to collaborate in medicine, and conferences like TTE provide that avenue to… Continue reading