Fragmentation of process poses a real problem in all industries, but in healthcare the lack of solidified process and collaboration can lead to poor patient outcomes.
In 2017 we served with the Medical Reserve Corps on a multidisciplinary taskforce in the Hurricane Irma response. During our time at the Columbus Civic Center shelter we took on leadership roles, helping to establish additional structure around communication, logistics and clinic operations.
We could tell you that we knew our real-time leadership decisions were going to be successful — but in truth, we got lucky. Upon our return, COR was invited to participate in a debrief about the experience, and then the real work began.
If you can’t describe what you are doing as a process, you don’t know what you are doing.
W. Edwards Deming
Since Hurricane Irma we have partnered with GNR — Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale — and now the State of Georgia, to help achieve their vision for mass sheltering. Put simply, we defined, described and deployed these newly formed processes to the people who are going to carry them out, through:
- Engagement with community partners
- Modification of internal processes
- Empowerment of staff
As the state enters the 2019 hurricane season, we are at the Preparedness Summit in St. Louis to share our journey. The work continues with the Department of Public Health on an all-inclusive training package — just-in-time, onboarding and competency tools — that will set Georgia apart.
