A3 - Addressing “Unnecessary Variation” In Pursuit Of a Culture Of Safety

Although many features distinguish a profession, one of the most important is responsibility for its members’ safety and their conduct. Unfortunately, healthcare professionals may not be trained to deal with unnecessary variation in colleagues’ behavior or performance that undermines an organization’s culture of safety. For example, there’s a national effort to reduce or eliminate early elective deliveries (EED) before 39 weeks. What if Dr. OB agrees with the goal, but then does some EEDs? This session addresses this and similarly challenging issues, and it suggests practical strategies and tactics for dealing with them. Addressing unprofessional behavior begins with a commitment to reduce tolerance for such behavior and requires (a) an organizational infrastructure, (b) a tiered “pyramid" to guide interventions, and (3) adaptable training elements and resources.