May-June 2009
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Inside This Issue
MAKING THE CASE FOR PATIENT SAFETY
Patient outcomes and hospital incomes… Healthcare risk managers know they are related. But how can they make that case to the “C” suite and take their rightful place as patient safety leaders?
They need to “Set the Framework” and “Take the Lead” by mastering several key areas:
ASHRM addresses these concerns and draws from its position as the primary professional resource of patient safety information for healthcare risk managers with the updated 2009 Patient Safety Curriculum. Registration is open for the next curriculum, Aug. 10-13 in Chicago.
The course is presented in two consecutive parts. “Set the Framework” shows how risk management, quality and patient safety are linked and applies high reliability and complexity theories to patient safety efforts. “Take the Lead” digs into data mining, technology and medication error, organizational culture and effective leadership.
Program facilitators engage curriculum participants in discussions, making this a valuable opportunity to network with and learn from your peers. In fact, 97 percent of 2008 Patient Safety Curriculum attendees surveyed said the program was worth the value received.
Agenda details and registration information are available at www.ashrm.org/education. Attendees need not be ASHRM members, although members are entitled to an additional discount.
Support is available
To help you get support you may need from your manager to attend the Patient Safety Curriculum, ASHRM has prepared a customizable letter that you can adjust as appropriate. The letter will spell out what you expect to bring back from Chicago. Download the document from the Patient Safety Curriculum page.
How did you first learn about ASHRM?
Chances are, an ASHRM member told you about the programs, products and networking opportunities that make being a part of the premier organization for healthcare risk management professionals so valuable.
Thanks to you, ASHRM’s success has grown dramatically as it nears its 30th year. With more members like you, ASHRM’s role as the profession’s leading advocate can only be strengthened.
That’s why we are introducing the Join Me, Join ASHRM campaign. Not only will it help ASHRM grow, but it will provide some exciting personal benefits for you as well – like $750 for the top member recruiter over the next four months!
Here’s how it works:
Here’s how it helps you:
Between Healthcare Risk Management Week in June and ASHRM’s Annual Conference & Exhibition in October, ASHRM will track referrals for new ASHRM members. On Oct. 22, during the Annual Business Meeting & Recognition Event in Denver, the top three members credited with the most new members referred will be recognized with special awards. First place will receive $750, second place will receive $500, and third place will receive $250.
The Join Me, Join ASHRM campaign rewards you for doing what you’re already doing: spreading the word. ASHRM’s leadership would like to show its deep appreciation for your commitment to helping the organization and, in turn, the profession continue to grow.
There are some specific guidelines for the campaign. Join Me, Join ASHRM will open June 15, 2009, and close Oct. 16, 2009. Members must join online at during this time frame. Each individual who refers new members to join ASHRM must be a current ASHRM member, or become a member by the close of the campaign. Renewing ASHRM members are eligible as new members if they have not been ASHRM members within the past five years.
Heather Gocke: Driven by passion for patient safety
ASHRM’s vision is “To be the global thought and information leader in healthcare risk management and patient safety.” This vision can become reality when ASHRM members lead in their field, dedicated to making their organizations safer and more reliable.
In its continuing series of ASHRM leader profiles, ASHRM’s Leadership Development Task Force is recognizing Heather Gocke, RNC, LNC, CPHRM, who has been in the field of risk management and claims management for the past seven years.
Ms. Gocke is a registered nurse specialty-certified in obstetrics. In addition to her CPHRM, she holds certificates as a paralegal and legal nurse consultant. She is employed by Catholic Healthcare West, is vice president and president-elect of the Southern California Association for Healthcare Risk Management (SCAHRM) and sits on the board of directors for SCAHRM and the National Certification Corp. Ms. Gocke completed the American Hospital Association’s Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship program in May.
As the following Q&A profile shows, Ms. Gocke stays actively involved with all levels of her organization and with ASHRM.
How can risk managers make their value known to the organization?
Risk managers need to stay abreast of legislative and patient safety issues, and communicate vital information in a timely fashion. In addition, building relationships at all levels within the organization is vital. Once trust is established, risk managers can determine the issues and challenges that expose patients to harm. Essential skills include:
What leadership skills are required for a risk manager to translate information and activities to senior management to promote organizational buy-in?
Risk managers must understand the perspective of senior management in order to collaborate. The risk manager benefits when he or she understands cross-departmental functions, and active listening is the key to this knowledge. Linking operations with the financial aspects allows a risk manager to present a business perspective for improvement that makes sense to the organization. Storytelling in a concise format personalizes the issue at hand, also.
Where does a risk manager fit into the organization’s overall success?
The success of an organization can be measured through transformation in culture. A risk manager needs to nurture a culture of safety where staff members are empowered to identify potential sources of harm to a patient and work to resolve the issue before an incident occurs. They can do this by being visible in the organization and establishing trust at all levels.
How can the risk manager demonstrate leadership outside of the organization?
There are many opportunities, such as getting involved in an ASHRM task force, becoming a member of a local chapter and running for office, or starting a chapter. Submitting articles or abstracts to professional organizations is another way to demonstrate leadership and promote the role of risk management and patient safety. Submitting requests to serve as a presenter on risk management topics or getting involved in statewide initiatives such as California Patient Safety Action Coalition are other leadership opportunities. Seasoned risk managers can further develop skills through applying to the AHA Quality Center’s Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship program.
What leadership characteristics or skills most empower you in your risk management role?
A passion for patient safety and quality of care drives my desire to seek out and promote improvement efforts. I value information and seek input at all levels. One skill I have developed is to understand differing perspectives and work to filter similarities while evaluating differences. Innovation comes when there is consideration made to ideas that differ from my own; this is how a “learning organization” can develop. The leadership skills I most often utilize are those of listening, evaluating, linking, collaborating and communicating the outcome at all levels.
How can risk management increase an organization’s level of credibility?
Risk managers must always nurture a culture of transparency. Transparency promotes trust, which builds an organization’s level of credibility among staff and in the community.
– Elizabeth Becker, LCSW
DIRECTORY IMPROVES SEARCH PRODUCTIVITY
The typical Internet user visits Google or Yahoo to find virtually anything they need. But many business professionals who use one of the major search engines to find goods or services have been frustrated by pages of irrelevant results.
Online Supplier Directories (OSD) are emerging as the preferred method of searching within the business sector. Unlike traditional search engines, OSDs focus on a niche of products and services, producing particularly relevant search results.
That’s why ASHRM partnered with MultiView Inc. to develop an OSD for healthcare professionals, the ASHRM Vendors Directory. Obstacles created by mass search engines result in failure to find specialized information. These obstacles are overcome by ASHRM’s OSD search, ultimately increasing productivity. To learn more, visit www.ashrmvendorsdirectory.com.
The Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management designation provides a credential that verifies a broad-based knowledge of risk management. It is awarded based on participants meeting eligibility requirements and passing an examination.
Congratulations to recent achievers:
Kathy Renee Baroody, Brentwood, CA
Jacqueline M. Becker, Richmond, VA
Harriet Jean Bell, Big Stone Gap, VA
Deborah K. Bray, Richmond, VA
Caroline Elizabeth Brill, Broadview Heights, OH
Jennifer L. Clark, Kalispell, MT
Debra Costello, Taylor, MI
Kathy Lynn Early, Jenison, MI
Lynne Marie Evans, Florence, MT
Debbi Lynn Garbade, Pearland, TX
Deborah Jane Garza, Springfield, OH
Susan K. Gilpatrick, Dixon, CA
Lori Diane Grosse, Friendswood, TX
Carrie Ann Johnsen, Montgomery, IL
Delores W. Kelly, Seattle
Julie A. Lyons, Lombard, IL
Karen Byank Mathura, Bethesda, MD
Lois A. McChristian, Austin, TX
Patricia A. McCombs, Kansas City, MO
Edward Shingo Ogata, Chicago
Bonnie E. Portnoy, New York
Dana E. Platt, Long Beach, CA
Christos Sierros, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Debra Ann Summers, Franklin, TN
Carolynn R. Rogers, Reno, NV
Linda Crews Wallace, Wilmington, DE
Kristin A. Thompson, Luzerne, IA
Sandra E. Thompson, Clinton, SC
Shari E. Vandergast, Kintnersville, PA
Angela Williford, Conway, SC
The growing list of CPHRM certificants – 1,265 as of April 30, 2009 – can be found at the AHA CPRHM Certification page. For details about the designation, download the CPHRM Candidate Handbook or call (312) 422-3711.
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