Confessions: Even though I
have been a maternal-newborn nurse for more than 20 years, I have little knowledge
about the process of improvement and creating change. I have the passion, but
not the know-how. The word “improvement” was never uttered when I went to
school. Every day, I see how evidence-based practice does not reach our
patients. Every conference continues to highlight the evidence, but the conversation
ends there. It seems as if the research sits in books and journals waiting for
us to unwrap it and “birth” it with
the patients.
Notice I wrote “with.” My
first instinct was to write “for the patients,” but after my IHI time, my lens
has changed. Soon, I think you’ll understand why.
In my search for answers
and knowledge about process improvement, my Worcester State University nursing
department director introduced me to the IHI Open School and I felt as though
I’d landed on a new and fabulous planet. And last week, I was fortunate to
attend a deeply inspirational and transforming event as an IHI Open School
student in New Orleans..
The IHI Perinatal
Improvement Collaborative all-team meeting gathered for three days of powerful
discussions regarding improvement in perinatal systems and how to actually work
on creating change! My mind was
pleasantly overwhelmed and racing with ideas. I felt like I was on fire with a
“new way” that truly changed how I see health care.
Witnessing this team of
committed change agents work with perinatal groups from around the United
States was one of the most empowering experiences I’ve had as a nurse and
student. The IHI team, led by the inspiring Sue Gullo, walks the talk. The
conference included a patient panel of mothers sharing heartfelt stories about
their births and birth losses. In that large room of more than 100 people, I
could feel a tilt happen. In our own ways, we all committed to putting the
patient at the table with us — and always at the center of what we do.
The mothers spoke through
tears as they described what mattered to them while in the hospital. One mother
shared how “it’s not what you do or say, but it is how you make us feel that
matters.” Another mother bravely discussed the loss of her infant and how
important the staff was to her healing. “Patience is so important, don’t rush; some
things can’t ever be pushed” as she told of her need to have just one more
ultrasound to know she had lost her baby girl. This mother wanted to “pay it
forward” and now works with other mothers on this hospital unit who are
experiencing a loss.
The audience was tearing up
and we embraced this sacred chance to learn from — and really tune into — the
experience of patients and how our own actions can support or deter healing. Many
in the audience nodded their heads and spoke of how those in health care can
get desensitized and how vital it is to our work to bring the patient into the
health care discussions. We all have either been a patient or will be one! How different would our health care would be
if patients contributed at all levels, offering wisdom through their own
experience?
As we move from students to
clinical work, I’ll pass on the challenge the IHI Perinatal Team put forward at
the conference: Bring in the patients. Not just as a side note, but as a real contributor
for change. It got me thinking of how we can include patients in our own IHI
Open School Chapter meetings. How can patients inform students regarding
innovative health care ideas and healing? How might hearing the story of a
mother needing just one more discussion, more time, and more compassion color
our thoughts when we often move too
quickly through our tasks as health care workers? We can “birth” new health
care WITH patients, not for them. Take the challenge, bring in the patients,
and be ready for the change!
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