Mayo Clinic Key In To Quality

Logistical robots are transforming the way hospitals operate, from easing supply transport to enhancing staff efficiency. While these innovations can streamline tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care, they can also introduce some potential safety concerns.The latest episode of the Key In To Quality podcast, entitled “Robotics Rx: Revolutionizing Healthcare, Safely,” our guest, Carl Freyholtz, CSP, Safety Coordinator, Quality, Mayo Clinic, explores the groundbreaking integration of robotics in healthcare. The conversation covers the practical applications and safety considerations of using robots in medical settings. Learn about the real-life impact, including reduced physical strain on workers and improved time management, and explore what the "hospital of the future" could look like. Tune in to understand how robotics could reshape the landscape of healthcare, making it safer and more efficient for everyone involved.The session is ideal for healthcare leaders and staff, facilities personnel, and staff safety workers.  Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Battling healthcare’s rising trend:  workplace violenceStemming patient and staff injury in healthcare environments involves more than preventing falls and infections. The alarming rise in violence faced by healthcare providers has forced hospitals and health systems to focus on a critical yet often overlooked issue in healthcare—workplace violence.Entitled “Tackling Workplace Violence in Healthcare,” the latest Key In To Quality podcast episode, features Mayo Clinic experts, Casey Clements, M.D., Ph.D. and Sarayna McGuire, M.D., who work as emergency medicine consultants. Together, they explore the complex factors contributing to violent incidents, their impact on staff well-being, and innovative strategies for creating safer healthcare environments. Listeners will learn about various forms of violence in healthcare, including microaggressions, verbal abuse, and physical confrontations. The discussion reveals a 47% rise in healthcare violence over the last five years and shares firsthand accounts from clinicians. It challenges misconceptions that violence is confined to psychiatric settings. The podcast also highlights Mayo Clinic's initiatives in violence prevention through community partnerships, reporting tools, and technology like passive weapons detection.  Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Focus on Staff Ergonomics: Preventing injuries, boosting productivityMany healthcare jobs are physically demanding. Few things slow patient care and negatively impact productivity and financial performance than on-the-job injuries. Prevention is the key.In the latest episode of Key in to Quality podcast entitled “Staff Ergonomics: Keeping care givers in ‘fighting form’,” guest Nick Smith, CPE, ergonomist, Staff Safety, Mayo Clinic, sheds light on how proper ergonomic practices can prevent injuries, boost productivity, and enhance the overall well-being of staff members. Smith, a former medical officer in the United States Navy, says keeping ranks healthy by implementing ergonomics can create a safer, more productive work environment. He offers valuable advice and practical resources for navigating the complexities of ergonomics.The session is ideal for healthcare leaders, staff and occupational safety leaders and staff, ergonomics professionals, and employee wellness professionals. Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

In today’s high-pressure healthcare environment, the well-being of patients and staff is paramount. Yet, a growing concern is emerging within hospitals across the country—rude and violent behavior from patients and visitors that disrupts the quality of care and threatens the safety and morale of healthcare professionals.In the latest Key In To Quality podcast entitled “Addressing Abusive Behaviors in Healthcare: A Deep Dive,” guest Richard Elias, M.B.B.S., M.D., consultant, Hospital Medicine, and vice chair, Complex Behavior Committee, Mayo Clinic, dives deep into this critical issue, shedding light on the toxic behaviors that are often dismissed or overlooked, and exploring the profound effects they have on healthcare providers.In this episode, Dr. Elias along with the podcast hosts explore the troubling rise of abusive behaviors in healthcare settings by sharing showcasing real-life scenarios. By bringing these situations to life and discussing the issues, they aim to foster a deeper understanding of the human cost of such behaviors and spark a conversation about how they can be effectively addressed.The session is ideal for healthcare leaders, providers/clinicians, security personnel, human resources team members, patient grievance and regulatory staff, and accreditation personnel. Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

In 1895, while experimenting with a cathode, scientist Wilhelm Conrad Renton, discovered X-rays, which opened a whole new world in medical imaging. For the first time, physicians could see inside the human body without dissection! In the latest episode of Key in to Quality podcast entitled “Radiation Safety: Protecting patients and providers,” our guest, Glenn Sturchio, Ph.D., director, Health Physics, Mayo Clinic, delves into the fascinating evolution of radiation-based advancements, and the unanticipated injuries and challenges that followed. Dr. Sturchio also discusses Mayo Clinic’s practices and processes to ensure patient and staff safety when radiation is used in its clinics and hospitals. He also lends his perspectives on emerging technologies and how they are shaping the future of radiation safety.The session is ideal for occupational and staff safety leaders and employees, and radiation safety providers and team members. Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/Guests: Glenn Sturchio | https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennsturchio/#mayokeyintoquality Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

The COVID pandemic presented numerous challenges, from managing virus spread and evolving treatment protocols to dealing with misinformation and supply shortages. These pressures—and those since including financial losses and shortage of care givers—have severely tested healthcare workers' resilience, impacting their ability to support their teams and patients effectively. On the latest episode of the Key In To Quality podcast, guest, Lisa Hardesty, Ph.D., clinical health psychologist, Mayo Clinic Health System, shares her extensive expertise in stress, burnout, and resilience. Dr. Hardisty has developed various programs to help healthcare workers cope with burnout, which often manifests as absenteeism, cynicism, and reduced empathy. She highlights the importance of resources like employee assistance program and more that can help foster resilience and enhance staff engagement and satisfaction.   Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

In healthcare, quality is not optional; it’s imperative. However, not every employee arrives trained to bring a quality mindset to their work—whether clinical or operational. At Mayo Clinic, the Quality Academy sets the standard for the organization’s relentless pursuit of quality excellence.In the latest episode of the Key in to Quality podcast, guests Ross Reichard, M.D., pathologist and medical director and Matt Cox, M.S., quality improvement advisor III,  both with the Quality Academy, Mayo Clinic, discuss how their work brings formal education to the world of healthcare quality. The episode, entitled “Quality Academy: The Heart of Mayo Clinic Quality Improvement,” shares how their multi-level courses equip staff with tools to identify opportunities for enhancement and to champion impactful improvement in service to patients, which ultimately delivers on Mayo Clinic’s primary value: The needs of the patient come first.” Learn more about opportunities with the Quality Academy.Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/Guests: Ross Reichard | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-reichard-093555226/  and Matt Cox | https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcox75/#mayokeyintoquality Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

In the latest episode of the Key In To Quality podcast, guest Michelle Nordland, manager, Project Management and Value Creation, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic gets candid about her approach to transformative improvement and her belief that improvement can start with one person.    In this episode, Michelle shares how she challenges leaders to think differently about Lean methodologies and teaches staff members how to “fish” when it comes to growing and advancing quality improvement in a radiology practice.Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/Guest: Michelle Nordland | http://linkedin.com/in/michelle-nordland-2b563339#mayokeyintoquality Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

What makes quality improvement a daily norm? The mindset that “good enough isn’t good enough,” according to Sean Dowdy, M.D., chief value officer, Mayo Clinic and a recent guest on the Key In To Quality podcast.In this episode, entitled “Quality Improvement is a Mindset: perspectives from a chief value officer,” Dr. Dowdy talks about his approach to fostering sustained improvement across Mayo Clinic’s multi-site, 80,000 employee enterprise. He shares his leadership philosophy, definition of high reliability, and how Mayo Clinic sets expectations.The session is ideal for executive leaders/C-suite, board members, patient safety and experience leaders and staff, performance improvement experts.Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Larry Senn, a pioneer in the field of corporate culture, said “Culture is not an initiative. Culture is the enabler of all initiatives.” That includes quality improvement according to Jessica Stellmaker, supervisor, Specimen Operations, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Mayo Clinic. On the latest Key In To Quality podcast, Jessica shares a host of leadership best practices when it comes to creating an organizational culture that delivers the best quality outcomes. Chief among her thoughts: empower people to continuously improve and recognize improvement efforts quickly and consistently. Her recognition tactic is creative and motivating!The session is ideal for quality improvement, medical, and administrative leaders, laboratory leaders, and anyone interested in building a culture of quality improvement.Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/Guest: Jessica Stellmaker | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-stellmaker-6aa822110/#mayokeyintoquality Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

It’s been said that “teamwork makes the dream work.” Eric Siebeneck, performance improvement advisor, our guest on this episode of the Mayo Clinic Key in to Quality podcast, agrees with this when it comes to healthcare organizations working to improve quality of care delivery. However, often the responsibility is siloed and even shouldered by one or two individuals. Collaboration, particularly with clinicians, is critical to achieving rapid and lasting performance improvement. According to Eric the key to effective and lasting change is in an organization’s culture. At Mayo Clinic, he facilitates and coaches teams within the clinical practice toward better outcomes. He says bridging gaps between people and departments generates new ideas, improves outcomes, and contributes to a more resilient, responsive, and joyful workplace. Eric shares common misperceptions about quality improvement and key success factors he’s discovered in his work. Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

As healthcare delivery systems work toward adoption of emerging digital technologies and more automation, many leaders grapple with the question of how much is too much. Are the human elements of care—comfort, empathy, and warmth—being diminished or lost along the way? Our guests on the latest Key In To Quality podcast say it’s about awareness and balance. In the episode entitled “Tech with Heart: Navigating Innovation and Compassion in Healthcare,” Anne Pronschinske, vice chair, Center for Digital Health, Mayo Clinic and Rebecca Brustad, director, Patient Experience, Mayo Clinic, discuss the organization’s approach. Together, they share insight into how Mayo Clinic is extracting the efficiencies of innovation while finding new ways to maintain the human aspects of patient care and experience. They assert that when the patient remains at the center of every decision, technology can benefit caregivers and free up time do deliver human-centered care and find more meaning and purpose in their work.. #mayokeyintoquality Hosted by: Hosted by: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D., Vice Chair, Quality, Mayo Clinic, and Sheri Nemec, Consultation and Relationship Manager, Quality Department, Mayo Clinic LinkedIn: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. and Sheri Nemec Twitter: @DrTimMorg Guests LinkedIn:  Rebecca Brustad and Anne Pronschinske Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Patient experience is about making patient healthcare journeys better; in creating improved experiences, healthcare delivery staff often enjoy better processes and outcomes. But who is responsible for creating patient experience improvement? Where does one start? And are innovation and automation at the center of it all? Not necessarily says our latest podcast guest. In this episode of the Key in to Quality podcast, Lacey Hart, Administrator, Experience Relationship Management (XRM), Quality Department, Mayo Clinic, says that experience design focuses on the gaps between the experience points along a patient’s journey. Hart, who leads a team of experience relationship design professionals, discusses how Mayo Clinic’s patient experience strategy has created powerful synergy between people, processes, and technology, resulting in better interactions—and relationships—with patients. #mayokeyintoquality Hosted by: Hosted by: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D., Vice Chair, Quality, Mayo Clinic, and Sheri Nemec, Consultation and Relationship Manager, Quality Department, Mayo Clinic LinkedIn: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. and Sheri Nemec Twitter: @DrTimMorg Guest LinkedIn:  Lacey Hart Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Volunteers fill many significant roles to support the human experience in healthcare.  Hear from Erin Pittman, Director of Volunteer Services, who oversees volunteer programs, hospital gift shops and animal assisted services at Mayo Clinic Rochester. Erin shares her perspectives about the complex field of volunteer management and the importance of understanding the impact of volunteers have in connecting with patients through empathy, kindness and human centered care. She discusses the process to engage volunteers and discover their personal “why” to volunteer. Erin describes the shifts and future innovations in volunteer services including embracing diversity and other success tips. #mayokeyintoquality Hosted by: Hosted by: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D., Vice Chair, Quality, Mayo Clinic, and Sheri Nemec, Consultation and Relationship Manager, Quality Department, Mayo Clinic LinkedIn: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. and Sheri Nemec Twitter: @DrTimMorg Guest LinkedIn:  Erin Pittman Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

It's been said that passion provides purpose, but data drives decisions. When it comes to patient experience data, both are true. Often, however, it is easy to focus on surface-level summaries while overlooking valuable insights or “golden nuggets.” In this episode, Laurie Wilshusen, administrator, Quality Experience Research, Mayo Clinic expounds on 30 years of experience listening to patients through market research. While the state of the art has changed a lot throughout her career, she points to more contemporary tools such as natural language processing, which reveals the golden nuggets (what patients are saying about their experiences and needs) and efficiencies to organize it into actionable insights. Listen in as Ms. Wilshusen shares her thoughts how leaders can use and share data more effectively and empathically, and a glimpse into the future of measuring emotions, human connection, relationships, and trust. #mayokeyintoquality Hosted by: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D., Vice Chair, Quality, Mayo Clinic, and guest host Kelly Vorseth, Quality Director, Mayo Clinic LinkedIn: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. and Kelly Vorseth Twitter: @DrTimMorg Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Research supports the connection between the patient experience, patient safety, and clinical outcomes. How do these health care factors intersect to support human connection and trust within clinical encounters? And why is that essential? In this episode of the Key in to Quality podcast, Dawn Davis, M.D., department chair and consultant, Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, shares her thoughts on the patient journey: from first making an appointment to walking out of the hospital or clinic. According to Dr. Davis, the journey involves the patient, their family, caregivers, and providers, and requires a unique skillset to make personal connections, build trust, and help patients feel seen and heard. She says making patients the top priority in every interaction leads to better patient outcomes and increased satisfaction by patients and those caring for them. #mayokeyintoquality Hosted by: Hosted by: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D., Vice Chair, Quality, Mayo Clinic, and Sheri Nemec, Consultation and Relationship Manager, Quality Department, Mayo Clinic LinkedIn: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. and Sheri Nemec Twitter: @DrTimMorg   Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Experiences are more than just a series of transactions between patients and healthcare professionals. In many instances, care involves deeply personal and often vulnerable human interactions—not just services but moments of trust. Healthcare can profoundly impact people on a personal level. How can we build a deeply human experience for both patients and caregivers? In this episode of the Key In To Quality podcast, Sheila Stevens, MSW, administrator, Experience Training, Education & Coaching, Mayo Clinic, shares her team’s model for exceptional human-centered care experiences and how to train staff to deliver them. #mayokeyintoquality Hosted by: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. @DrTimMorg and Sheri Nemec Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Host:  Timothy Morgenthaler, MD  @DrTimMorg Guests:  Paul Murphree, D.O., Vice President, Medical Outcomes, Wellstar Health System Jennifer Giusti, MPA, BSN, RN, FACHE, Vice President, Clinical Outcomes, Wellstar Health System The response to the global pandemic was a stressful and challenging time for healthcare organizations. It required resources to be focused on caring for those impacted and distracted from the ability to focus on Quality advancement and improvement. Today, quality leaders are expressing a desire and need to get “back to the basics” to refocus on improving quality outcomes.  Join us for a series of three podcasts where we talk with quality leaders from Mayo Clinic Care Network organizations and learn what it means to them to “get back to basics” in quality and safety. Find out more about Mayo Clinic’s Quality program at https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/quality/. Connect with us on Twitter or Facebook using #mayokeyintoquality or at: https://www.facebook.com/MayoClinic https://twitter.com/MayoClinic   Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Host:  Timothy Morgenthaler, MD  @DrTimMorg Guest:  Todd Pollock, Executive Director, Quality and Safety, St. Clair Health. The response to the global pandemic was a stressful and challenging time for healthcare organizations. It required resources to be focused on caring for those impacted and distracted from the ability to focus on Quality advancement and improvement. Today, quality leaders are expressing a desire and need to get “back to the basics” to refocus on improving quality outcomes.  Join us for a series of three podcasts where we talk with quality leaders from Mayo Clinic Care Network organizations and learn what it means to them to “get back to basics” in quality and safety. Find out more about Mayo Clinic’s Quality program at https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/quality/. Connect with us on Twitter or Facebook using #mayokeyintoquality or at: https://www.facebook.com/MayoClinic https://twitter.com/MayoClinic   Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Host:  Timothy Morgenthaler, MD  @DrTimMorg Guest: Carlos Quintero, M.D., Chief Quality Officer, Naples Comprehensive Health  Carlos Quintero | LinkedIn The response to the global pandemic was a stressful and challenging time for healthcare organizations. It required resources to be focused on caring for those impacted and distracted from the ability to focus on Quality advancement and improvement. Today, quality leaders are expressing a desire and need to get “back to the basics” to refocus on improving quality outcomes.  Join us for a series of three podcasts where we talk with quality leaders from Mayo Clinic Care Network organizations and learn what it means to them to “get back to basics” in quality and safety. Find out more about Mayo Clinic’s Quality program at https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/quality/. Connect with us on Twitter or Facebook using #mayokeyintoquality or at: https://www.facebook.com/MayoClinic https://twitter.com/MayoClinic   Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality