Focus on Staff Ergonomics: Preventing injuries, boosting productivity

Many 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/

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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/

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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/

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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/

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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

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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