Impact of Pandemic on Patient Safety

Join HDM and following list of experts as they discuss the fallout on patient safety as a result of the pandemic. 

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• • Dr. Tim McDonald, Chief Patient Safety and Risk Officer, RLDatix, 
• • Nicole Kerkenbush, Chief Nursing and Performance Officer, Monument Health 
• • Patricia McGaffigan, IHI Vice President, Safety; and Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety President
• • Kenneth R. Deans, President and CEO, Health Sciences South Carolina
• • Mitchell Josephson, CEO, Health Data Management
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In a discussion about the impact of the pandemic on patient safety and culture, panelists acknowledged both positive and negative outcomes. Positives included the resilience and commitment of the healthcare workforce, the improved performance of organizations with a strong safety culture, and the increased awareness of healthcare inequities. Additionally, the rise of telehealth contributed to better patient communication and more accessible mental health care. 

However, there were also negative effects, such as the separation of patients from their support systems, leading to increased stress on both patients and caregivers. This experience emphasized the importance of effective communication and the inclusion of family members in the care process. The panelists also discussed the changing workforce, with a higher percentage of contingent workers, and the challenges it presents for maintaining a strong safety culture. The pandemic has accelerated the need to adapt and bolster safety measures, considering the changing composition of healthcare professionals. 

The panel also highlighted the strain on the workforce due to early retirements, burnout, and a generation of caregivers who entered the field during the pandemic. These new professionals may lack hands-on experience, requiring more extensive onboarding and orientation processes. The panelists agreed that organizations must continually reevaluate their onboarding processes to address the evolving needs of the workforce and maintain a strong patient safety culture.