Logistical robots are transforming the way hospitals operate, from easing supply transport to enhancing staff efficiency. While these innovations can streamline tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care, they can also introduce some potential safety concerns.

The latest episode of the Key In To Quality podcast, entitled “Robotics Rx: Revolutionizing Healthcare, Safely,” our guest, Carl Freyholtz, CSP, Safety Coordinator, Quality, Mayo Clinic, explores the groundbreaking integration of robotics in healthcare. The conversation covers the practical applications and safety considerations of using robots in medical settings.

Learn about the real-life impact, including reduced physical strain on workers and improved time management, and explore what the "hospital of the future" could look like. Tune in to understand how robotics could reshape the landscape of healthcare, making it safer and more efficient for everyone involved.

The session is ideal for healthcare leaders and staff, facilities personnel, and staff safety workers.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

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Battling healthcare’s rising trend: workplace violence

Stemming patient and staff injury in healthcare environments involves more than preventing falls and infections. The alarming rise in violence faced by healthcare providers has forced hospitals and health systems to focus on a critical yet often overlooked issue in healthcare—workplace violence.

Entitled “Tackling Workplace Violence in Healthcare,” the latest Key In To Quality podcast episode, features Mayo Clinic experts, Casey Clements, M.D., Ph.D. and Sarayna McGuire, M.D., who work as emergency medicine consultants. Together, they explore the complex factors contributing to violent incidents, their impact on staff well-being, and innovative strategies for creating safer healthcare environments.

Listeners will learn about various forms of violence in healthcare, including microaggressions, verbal abuse, and physical confrontations. The discussion reveals a 47% rise in healthcare violence over the last five years and shares firsthand accounts from clinicians. It challenges misconceptions that violence is confined to psychiatric settings. The podcast also highlights Mayo Clinic's initiatives in violence prevention through community partnerships, reporting tools, and technology like passive weapons detection.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

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Focus on Staff Ergonomics: Preventing injuries, boosting productivity

Many healthcare jobs are physically demanding. Few things slow patient care and negatively impact productivity and financial performance than on-the-job injuries. Prevention is the key.

In the latest episode of Key in to Quality podcast entitled “Staff Ergonomics: Keeping care givers in ‘fighting form’,” guest Nick Smith, CPE, ergonomist, Staff Safety, Mayo Clinic, sheds light on how proper ergonomic practices can prevent injuries, boost productivity, and enhance the overall well-being of staff members. Smith, a former medical officer in the United States Navy, says keeping ranks healthy by implementing ergonomics can create a safer, more productive work environment. He offers valuable advice and practical resources for navigating the complexities of ergonomics.

The session is ideal for healthcare leaders, staff and occupational safety leaders and staff, ergonomics professionals, and employee wellness professionals.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

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In today’s high-pressure healthcare environment, the well-being of patients and staff is paramount. Yet, a growing concern is emerging within hospitals across the country—rude and violent behavior from patients and visitors that disrupts the quality of care and threatens the safety and morale of healthcare professionals.

In the latest Key In To Quality podcast entitled “Addressing Abusive Behaviors in Healthcare: A Deep Dive,” guest Richard Elias, M.B.B.S., M.D., consultant, Hospital Medicine, and vice chair, Complex Behavior Committee, Mayo Clinic, dives deep into this critical issue, shedding light on the toxic behaviors that are often dismissed or overlooked, and exploring the profound effects they have on healthcare providers.

In this episode, Dr. Elias along with the podcast hosts explore the troubling rise of abusive behaviors in healthcare settings by sharing showcasing real-life scenarios. By bringing these situations to life and discussing the issues, they aim to foster a deeper understanding of the human cost of such behaviors and spark a conversation about how they can be effectively addressed.

The session is ideal for healthcare leaders, providers/clinicians, security personnel, human resources team members, patient grievance and regulatory staff, and accreditation personnel.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

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In 1895, while experimenting with a cathode, scientist Wilhelm Conrad Renton, discovered X-rays, which opened a whole new world in medical imaging. For the first time, physicians could see inside the human body without dissection!

In the latest episode of Key in to Quality podcast entitled “Radiation Safety: Protecting patients and providers,” our guest, Glenn Sturchio, Ph.D., director, Health Physics, Mayo Clinic, delves into the fascinating evolution of radiation-based advancements, and the unanticipated injuries and challenges that followed. Dr. Sturchio also discusses Mayo Clinic’s practices and processes to ensure patient and staff safety when radiation is used in its clinics and hospitals. He also lends his perspectives on emerging technologies and how they are shaping the future of radiation safety.

The session is ideal for occupational and staff safety leaders and employees, and radiation safety providers and team members.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

Guests: Glenn Sturchio | https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennsturchio/

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Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

#mayokeyintoquality

The COVID pandemic presented numerous challenges, from managing virus spread and evolving treatment protocols to dealing with misinformation and supply shortages. These pressures—and those since including financial losses and shortage of care givers—have severely tested healthcare workers' resilience, impacting their ability to support their teams and patients effectively.

On the latest episode of the Key In To Quality podcast, guest, Lisa Hardesty, Ph.D., clinical health psychologist, Mayo Clinic Health System, shares her extensive expertise in stress, burnout, and resilience. Dr. Hardisty has developed various programs to help healthcare workers cope with burnout, which often manifests as absenteeism, cynicism, and reduced empathy. She highlights the importance of resources like employee assistance program and more that can help foster resilience and enhance staff engagement and satisfaction.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

#mayokeyintoquality

In healthcare, quality is not optional; it’s imperative. However, not every employee arrives trained to bring a quality mindset to their work—whether clinical or operational. At Mayo Clinic, the Quality Academy sets the standard for the organization’s relentless pursuit of quality excellence.

In the latest episode of the Key in to Quality podcast, guests Ross Reichard, M.D., pathologist and medical director and Matt Cox, M.S., quality improvement advisor III, both with the Quality Academy, Mayo Clinic, discuss how their work brings formal education to the world of healthcare quality.

The episode, entitled “Quality Academy: The Heart of Mayo Clinic Quality Improvement,” shares how their multi-level courses equip staff with tools to identify opportunities for enhancement and to champion impactful improvement in service to patients, which ultimately delivers on Mayo Clinic’s primary value: The needs of the patient come first.” Learn more about opportunities with the Quality Academy.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

Guests: Ross Reichard | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-reichard-093555226/ and Matt Cox | https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcox75/

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Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

#mayokeyintoquality

In the latest episode of the Key In To Quality podcast, guest Michelle Nordland, manager, Project Management and Value Creation, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic gets candid about her approach to transformative improvement and her belief that improvement can start with one person.

In this episode, Michelle shares how she challenges leaders to think differently about Lean methodologies and teaches staff members how to “fish” when it comes to growing and advancing quality improvement in a radiology practice.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

Guest: Michelle Nordland | http://linkedin.com/in/michelle-nordland-2b563339

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Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

#mayokeyintoquality