Anthony, who worked at GBMC for three years as our Assistant Director of Food and Nutrition, now oversees daily transports and Service Response Center (SRC) calls. Anthony’s leadership team includes Destini Washington, Dominique Eaddy, and Gaurav Vasson.
Moving patients safely and efficiently requires standard processes and synchronization, which is the coordination of events to operate a system in unison. For example, when a patient needs to move from an inpatient unit to the radiology department for a study, the nursing staff must align its work to have the patient ready when transport arrives to move them. If either the patient or transport team is not ready on time, the system is “out of sync.” In a highly reliable hospital (one in which what should happen, happens, and what should not happen, doesn’t) patients are where they need to be when they need to be there.
This is a very complicated process because it’s impossible to predict exactly when and where patients will need to be moved at the beginning of the day. Anthony will be working closely with other leaders, especially our inpatient nurse managers, to make sure that we have standard work that is synchronized.
Anthony and his team also have the added complexity of moving equipment (stretchers, beds, wheelchairs, etc.). Our transporters are key players in keeping our facility clutter free and assuring that everything is in its place so that our staff will have what they need when they need it. They follow our 6S principles: sort, separate, shine, standardize, sustain, and safety. When things are not where they belong, it is hard to get them to the people who need them and clutter in the hallways is a safety hazard. Imagine if we had to move a patient quickly but the corridor was obstructed by a stretcher!
Anthony has created a new initiative with his people that we should all be following. It’s called “if you see something, say something.” It is everyone’s responsibility not to ignore something that is not in a 6S condition. For example, if a transporter sees trash overflowing, a stretcher in the hallway, or a wheelchair that is not in its proper place, he or she will rectify the situation or call ext. 6800. The transport team is trained to say something when they see something. If they see a stretcher, they will ask the unit if they need the stretcher. If they don’t, the transport team will ask them to log the equipment, run it in Epic, and take the stretcher to its proper destination.
Anthony told me that he and his team believe building relationships with leaders throughout GBMC will build the trust that patient transport will arrive on time. This will encourage others to do their part in making sure the patient is ready when the transporter arrives.
Please join me in welcoming Anthony to his new role and committing to help him create an even more reliable transport system. I would also like to thank Stacey McGreevy and David Brierley for their leadership in this area.
Our cleft lip and palate team recently received approval by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA). This recognition makes us one of four hospitals in the state to receive this endorsement.
The ACPA is an international nonprofit association of more than 2,500 healthcare professionals who are involved in the treatment and research of cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial abnormalities. The ACPA sets industry standards and optimizes the interdisciplinary care of persons affected by craniofacial abnormalities.
This approval is only given to teams with the highest level of training. The ACPA approval is a well-deserved recognition for Dr. Tonie Kline and the rest of the team. It is also recognition of the leadership and hard work of our recently deceased medical director of the program, Dr. Randy Capone. Congratulations to all!
On Wednesday, we hosted our 4th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration, which commemorated Dr. King’s life and vision. This year’s program, titled “Songs of Our Soul – We Shall Overcome,” featured our keynote presenter Richard Maurice Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of Sociology at McDaniel College and Lead Pastor of The Movement Church in Howard County, along with live music from the City Neighbors High School Choir.
I am grateful to Jennifer Marana, Ph.D., our Director of Diversity and Inclusion, and my colleagues on the Diversity and Inclusion Council for their hard work on this event and helping to bring us closer together. I also want to thank Dr. Smith, members of the City Neighbors High School Choir, and our Black History Month committee that put together this year’s magnificent celebration!
I encourage you all to send in your nominations for our GBMC Spirit of King Award. This award recognizes an individual who embodies the spirit and life's work of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and who is dedicated to serving their local community, place of worship, child's school, etc. All nominations must be submitted no later than Thursday, January 31. The winner will be announced at the Black History Month celebration in February. Click here for more.
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