Mayo Clinic Key In To Quality

In Part 2 of our delirium-focused series, Key in to Quality returns to Mayo Clinic Arizona, where a startling statistic revealed that two-thirds of workplace assaults involved confused patients. Behind the numbers were moments of staff trauma and missed care opportunities. This episode follows the multidisciplinary team that turned insight into action: creating a Kaizen event, developing practical tools, and embedding delirium prevention into everyday workflows.Heidi Lindroth, M.D. shares her research on delirium, while Jennifer Sweilem, M.S.N., R.N. and Nicole Lies walk us through their powerful implementation journey. Discover how deliberate quality improvement efforts led to better patient care, increased delirium detection, and fewer incidents of workplace violence.Whether you're starting small or scaling system-wide, this episode offers actionable strategies and inspiration to improve safety, empathy, and quality care.  Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Addressing Delirium: A Path for Preventing Workplace ViolenceHow can healthcare workers truly feel safe when they’ve been conditioned to believe enduring workplace violence is “just part of the job”? On this Key In to Quality podcast episode, we dive into an often-overlooked issue that directly impacts hospital safety: delirium. Our guests Chris Scheuler, manager of the Mayo Clinic Arizona Workplace Violence Prevention Program, and Beth Terrio, a patient safety specialist from Mayo Clinic in Arizona, reveal how delirium can escalate situations, leading to confusion, fear, or even violence among patients.Learn how their team at Mayo Clinic Arizona discovered a common thread linking various safety incidents to delirium, prompting a cultural shift in how these events are managed. Chris and Beth also discuss the role of data in addressing workplace violence and establishing a comprehensive workplace violence prevention program.Gain insights on how to recognize and address workplace violence incidents proactively while fostering a supportive culture that leads with empathy and reinforces boundaries. 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 safety experts Dr. Abigail La Nou, Jami Zwiefelhofer, and Katie McFadyen, share valuable insights and strategies for creating a workplace where healthcare professionals can express themselves without fear of judgment, disagree, ask questions, and acknowledge mistakes without worrying about repercussions.The podcast emphasizes the need to flatten hierarchies in medicine to promote open communication, empower all team members to speak up, and ultimately provide the best care possible. This episode serves as a call to action for healthcare professionals to make a meaningful difference in their workplace and gives practical tips on how you can contribute to a culture of psychological safety in your organization or practice. #Mayokeyintoquality @DrTimMorg #qualityimprovement #patientsafety  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 this episode of Key In to Quality, hosts Dr. Tim Morgenthaler and Sheri Nemec explore how Mayo Clinic is revolutionizing quality improvement (QI) education through the flipped classroom model. Joined by Dr. Pablo Moreno Franco and Sandy Booth from Mayo Clinic’s Quality Academy, the discussion unpacks how this interactive, learner-centered format engages clinicians, residents, and administrators alike.By providing instructional content ahead of time and dedicating classroom sessions to collaboration and real-world project work, this model equips participants to immediately apply QI concepts to patient care. The flipped classroom has also created a ripple effect across the organization. As graduates carry these skills into their departments, they foster a culture of excellence, mentorship, and continuous improvement. Whether you're a healthcare educator, QI instructor, or administrator, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration for rethinking training methods in your institution.#MayokeyintoQualityGuests: Quality Academy contact email mayoclinicqualityacademy@mayo.eduDr. Pablo Moreno Franco    LinkedIn (37) Pablo Moreno Franco, MD | LinkedIn   Sandy Booth        LinkedIn (37) Sandy Chester Booth | LinkedIn  Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Most of us are familiar with therapy animals, but have you ever wondered what the research says about how these animals can positively impact the patient experience? In this episode of the Key In to Quality podcast, co-hosts Dr. Timothy Morgenthaler and Sheri Nemec sit down with Whitney Romine, Animal-Assisted Services Manager at Mayo Clinic, to explore how animal-assisted services are transforming healthcare.  Research has shown that animal-assisted services, when implemented correctly, can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and enhance the overall patient experience. In Whitney’s role, she has been integral to building Mayo Clinic's unique program, which is fully integrated into patient care and supported by dedicated staff.  Tune in to hear real examples of how animals at Mayo Clinic have contributed to positive patient outcomes and learn about various resources available for healthcare and volunteer organizations interested in leading animal assistance initiatives.  Whether you are a healthcare practitioner, administrator, volunteer or patient, this discussion will help you better understand the benefits of animal-assisted services and learn best practices for establishing or expanding animal-assisted interventions in a healthcare setting.  (34) Whitney Romine, MPH, C-AAIS, KPA-CTP | LinkedInMayo Clinic Department Instagram: @mayoclinicanimalassistedsrvs Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Every day, patient safety events and near misses happen in health care. But are we truly learning from them? In this episode of Key In To Quality, Mayo Clinic’s Jennifer Cowart, M.D. Chair, Patient Safety in Florida and Joe Nienow, manager of Mayo Clinic Patient Safety Systems, share how a team of experts turned a clunky, outdated incident reporting system into a transparent, user-friendly engine for patient safety improvement.You’ll learn how the Safety Electronic System Oversight Team (SESOT) led a multi-phase, enterprise-wide transformation that involved over 80,000 staff members. From simplifying workflows and integrating with the electronic health record to visualizing trends and using AI to surface insights, this episode explores what it takes to evolve from passive reporting to proactive learning.Key takeaways include how to build a culture of safety, balance simplicity with insight, and make safety data accessible and actionable for all staff. Whether you're working in quality improvement, patient safety, or leadership, this episode offers practical lessons on using data, design, and collaboration to make care safer for everyone.#Mayokeyintoquality #patientsafety #safetyculture #digitalhealth #EHRintegration Guest: Jennifer Cowart, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cowart-b0860494/Guest: Joe Nienow    Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Needlesticks and bloodborne pathogen exposures are more than just workplace injuries. They’re personal, emotional, and preventable. With thousands of cases reported annually in U.S. hospitals, addressing this issue is critical to staff safety and organizational culture.On this episode of Key In To Quality, Melanie Swift, M.D., Associate Medical Director for Occupational Health, and Seth Clarenbach from Mayo Clinic’s staff safety team, discuss how Mayo is tackling this challenge head-on through policy, engineering, and culture change.Learn how the multidisciplinary "BEEPERS" committee uses frontline insights and injury data to identify patterns, improve sharps container design, and champion best practices like hands-free passing in surgical settings. The conversation also highlights persistent barriers, like underreporting and risk normalization, and what organizations can do to shift that mindset.This episode offers key takeaways for healthcare leaders, occupational safety teams, nurses, and quality improvement professionals committed to creating a safer healthcare environment.  Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Workplace culture, data insights, and emotional connection all play a critical role in how patients and staff experience care. At Mayo Clinic, understanding and improving these elements is essential to advancing quality.On this episode of the Key In To Quality podcast, Sunanda Kane, M.D. Chief Patient Experience Officer at Mayo Clinic, returns to share how her team is tackling the complex interplay between patient satisfaction, staff well-being, and data-informed decision-making.Learn how Mayo Clinic has trained over 21,000 staff members in experience-centered care, established a conduct work unit to address rising incidents of workplace violence, and partnered with Qualtrics to analyze patient feedback through advanced AI and real-time dashboards. Dr. Kane also highlights how gathering emotional, story-driven insights from patients can lead to actionable improvements across the system.This episode offers practical strategies for anyone working to create a more human, safe, and responsive healthcare environment. It’s especially valuable for patient experience leaders, quality improvement professionals, hospital administrators, and anyone passionate about building trust through care.  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 truly defines a great patient experience? From appointment scheduling and facility navigation to virtual visits and provider communication, every step plays a role in how patients feel, trust, and heal.In this episode of Key In To Quality, Mayo Clinic’s Chief Patient Experience Officer, Sunanda Kane, M.D. joins co-hosts Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. and Sheri Nemec to discuss how Mayo Clinic is transforming patient experience across physical and digital spaces. With decades of experience in clinical care, quality improvement, and leadership, Dr. Kane breaks down the difference between satisfaction and experience, the role of warmth and competence in building trust, and how AI and telehealth are changing care delivery.Listeners will walk away with practical ideas to elevate patient care and experience—starting with a simple smile or a well-placed sign. This episode is valuable for patient experience leaders, clinicians, hospital administrators, digital health innovators, quality improvement professionals, and anyone invested in creating human-centered healthcare.  Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Design thinking involves asking big questions and thoroughly examining problems. It's a different approach compared to traditional medical training, where doctors are trained to quickly assess situations and come up with solutions. On this episode of the Key In To Quality podcast, our guest Allison Matthews walks us through how human-centered design principles can be applied to the patient experience in a hospital setting, which is her primary focus as the lead of Experience Design and Hospital Operations for Mayo Clinic.Learn how the Car-T cell therapy service line at Mayo Clinic used design thinking to help patients and caregivers communicate better throughout the treatment process, and how Allison and her team overcame challenges associated with implementing design thinking, with key takeaways you can apply directly to your practice. This podcast provides valuable insights for anyone interested in enhancing patient care and quality. It is ideal for quality improvement leaders and staff, and hospital leaders and staff.Guest: Allison Matthews | https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-matthews-5058b437/ Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Industrial hygiene in healthcare is essential due to the unique and often surprising varieties of hazards present—from chemical exposures and airborne pathogens to ergonomic challenges and noise levels.  In this episode of Key into Quality podcast, entitled “Hazards in Healthcare: Exploring Industrial Hygiene with an Expert” our guest Jeff Nesbitt, supervisor, Industrial Hygiene, Mayo Clinic, discusses  the role of industrial hygiene in maintaining safe healthcare environments. He shares Mayo Clinic’s approach to managing workplace hazards, regulatory frameworks, and innovative safety practices in clinical, laboratory, and industrial settings.  This podcast provides valuable insights for anyone interested in enhancing safety and quality in healthcare. It is ideal for healthcare and hospital leaders, staff safety leaders, environment of care leaders/staff, and facilities leaders and staff.  Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Dizziness is a common reason for physician visits, especially in people over 70, and can lead to falls and hospitalizations. In response, Mayo Clinic established a dedicated vestibular therapy team to provide specialized physical and occupational therapy for hospitalized patients.  In this episode of Key In To Quality podcast, our guests Allison Grunst, P.T., D.P.T., Leanne Pataky, P.T., D.P.T., and Anna Whitham, M.S., O.T. from Mayo Clinic in Rochester discuss how they completed a structured quality improvement project within Mayo Clinic's Quality Academy to achieve their goals of improving care, reducing falls, and ensuring safer discharges for patients experiencing dizziness.As a result, they received a gold certification from Mayo Clinic's Quality Academy and their department made significant improvements in patient care, staff awareness, and collaboration.This podcast provides valuable insights for anyone interested in enhancing patient care and quality. It is ideal for quality improvement leaders/staff, physical therapists, occupational therapists, patient safety staff or leaders, and hospital leaders and staff.   Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Hospitals commonly use huddles to create staff alignment on a wide range of operational, clinical, and other topics and functions. However, not all huddles are delivering the desired effect of lasting impact and full staff engagement. Experts agree that one fundamental requirement of creating a safety culture is having a preoccupation with safety built into every workday.  In the latest Key In To Quality podcast, entitled “Improving Safety Culture and Solving Problems Through Daily Huddles,” Jennifer Cowart, M.D., patient safety officer and hospitalist, Mayo Clinic Florida, shares her experience with building culture of safety through deliberate, strategic, and persistent hard work. Dr. Cowart has dedicated much of her career to improving safety culture at Mayo Clinic and other institutions. She provides useful insights on and practical recommendations for implementing daily huddles that foster trusting relationships, build leadership skills, and engage team members in creating safety culture.  The session is ideal for health care leaders, patient safety and quality leaders and staff, clinical practice leaders, and nursing leaders and staff. 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 1989, American author Stephen Covey published the popular business book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” In it, he presents the second habit: begin with the end in mind. Those working in healthcare today know that concept applies to patient care. There are a myriad of opportunities to examine historical practices and data with future quality and safety improvements in mind. Mortality reviews is one of those.This episode of Key into Quality podcast, entitled “Systematic Mortality Reviews: Looking Back to Improve the Future” discusses insights into how mortality reviews can guide healthcare providers in delivering safer, more effective care.Brian Beam, M.D., assistant professor, Anesthesiology and chair, Mayo Clinic Rochester Mortality Review Subcommittee, and John McMahon, manager, Quality Operations, Mayo Clinic share Mayo Clinic’s mortality review process, its structure, and the collaborative efforts involved. They also talk about how leveraging data and fostering collaboration have led to significant improvements in patient care as well as how Mayo Clinic is working towards using artificial intelligence to proactively address potential issues.  This podcast is ideal for healthcare and hospital leaders, quality and patient safety leaders and staff, providers, and care givers.    Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality

Are you passionate about the future of healthcare and eager to learn how proactive strategies, real-world success stories, and cutting-edge innovation are revolutionizing nursing? Here’s a chance to hear inspiring ideas to use at your hospital or clinical practice.This recent episode of Key into Quality podcast, entitled “The Future of Safety in Nursing: Voices from the Frontline,” hosted guests Jen Cruise and Nina Hawthorne, both nurse administrators at Mayo Clinic, who shared invaluable insights from their extensive nursing experience. Together, they illustrate the essence of Safety 2.0 by demonstrating how proactive strategies and staff empowerment lead to exceptional patient outcomes.  Jen and Nina also delved into their visionary approaches, such as Jen's focus on integrating evidence-based practice into daily nursing activities and Nina's championing of innovation to drive safety. Their dialogue showcased the dedication of nursing leaders at Mayo Clinic in advancing healthcare quality and ensuring that patient needs remain the central focus.This podcast is ideal for healthcare and hospital leaders, nursing leaders, nurses, quality and safety leaders and staff.    Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/#mayokeyintoquality