Question

The radiology department you work in has had an unusual number of errors in the past year. Specifically, several patients have undergone procedures entirely different from the ones ordered. Unfortunately, the department does not have a culture of safety, and open discussion of mistakes is almost unheard of.

Despite the current culture, you decide to try and form an improvement team to address these errors. In order to help foster a culture of safety, which of the following is an action you should consider taking?

(A) Develop a plan to ensure that everyone in the department is clear about the problem.
(B) Keep a list of who is participating in the effort and who is not.
(C) Make plans to randomize your change efforts so your results can be published.
(D) File an anonymous complaint with the hospital against the department leadership.

Answer 1

To address errors and foster a culture of safety in the radiology department, developing a clear plan to communicate the issues is essential. Implementing checklists can be an effective strategy, along with gaining buy-in from staff by involving them in the improvement process.

Step-by-step explanation:

To foster a culture of safety in the radiology department and address the significant errors occurring, one should develop a plan to ensure that everyone is clear about the problem. This involves clear communication about the errors, their impact on patient safety, and the importance of addressing the issue collectively. Open discussion of mistakes is crucial to prevent future incidents, and creating a plan is a proactive step that encourages a transparent and non-punitive environment. Keeping a list of participants and non-participants or filing anonymous complaints may create an atmosphere of blame and further hinder the development of a safety culture.

Implementing a checklist, as shown by Dr. Gawande and Dr. Pronovost's work, is an example of a simple solution that can greatly reduce errors and improve patient safety. Gaining buy-in from staff through training and involving them in project feedback is fundamental to ensure everyone understands and commits to the changes necessary to improve the department's safety record.