Exploring the Impact of Resident-led Safety Council on Patient Care
By Garrison Carlos, MD (& ChatGPT)
March 13, 2024
In the heart of Stanford University Medical Center, where innovation and excellence converge, one general surgery resident has been making waves in the realm of patient safety and quality improvement. Driven by a passion for enhancing patient care, Dr. Garrison Carlos, emerged as a dynamic force in the field, leaving an indelible mark on the institution.
As a co-chair of the Resident Safety Council (RSC) alongside Pediatric Resident Dr. Katherine Xiong, Carlos had a vision to elevate safety standards and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Over the last two years, they spearheaded four distinct quality improvement initiatives:
- Optimizing communication. The team implemented the use of standardized protocols in the healthcare message app Voalte, which simplified the identification of the correct provider. The team achieved a reduction in first contact errors, leading to smoother transitions into surgery.
- Improving the care of diabetic patients. The team introduced continuous glucose monitoring technologies and increased interdisciplinary collaboration which led to a decrease in diabetic complications and an increase in patient satisfaction. This contributed to improved patient outcomes.
- AI. The team employed machine learning algorithms to identify high-risk patients and pinpoint the key drivers leading to increased risk of readmission.
- Waste Reduction. The team used a holistic approach to reduce the amount of clinical waste and promote reusable products. We also gave providers tools to find ways to contribute to green outcomes within their own specialties.
The culmination of these initiatives was celebrated at the Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Symposium this past May. The RSC showcased their journey, highlighting the successes, challenges, and the transformative impact on patient care. The symposium provided a platform for sharing insights, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, and inspiring other healthcare professionals to embark on their own quality improvement journeys.
Related News
- – Surgery
Surgery Team Wins 2023 SHC Sustainability Ambassador Award
The team “OR Sustainability and Waste Reduction,” made up of Dr. Jaclyn Wu, Dr. Paige Fox, Dr. John Gahagan, Gretchen Annie, RN and Courtland Couture, CST has been selected to receive the 2023 Sustainability Ambassador Award from Stanford Health Care (SHC).
- – Surgery
Two GenSurgResidents Named 2020 QIPSS Winners
Two general surgery residents were named 2020 Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Symposium (QIPSS) Winners.
Media Contact
Bio
About Stanford Surgery
The Stanford University Department of Surgery is dedicated to inventing the future of surgical care through:
• pioneering cutting-edge research,
• developing the next generation of leaders, and
• healing through incomparable surgical skills and compassion.
To learn more, please visit surgery.stanford.edu
The Latest
- Healthier, Happy Lives Blog
New Liver Gives a Toddler a Renewed Chance at Life
“Ocean was in dire need of a liver transplant,” says Carlos Esquivel, MD, pediatric transplant surgeon. “He was very ill and running out of time to wait for a compatible pediatric donor. We rarely get a pediatric donor. We had an offer for him from an adult donor that was his only chance for survival. We were able to use a small segment of the donated liver to save his life.”
- Surgery
Team Reduces Reimbursement Rejections by A Third
A team comprised of Linda Thomas, Co-Lead Carmen LoCascio as well as Robin Cohen, Amos Lam, Kevin Lee, Ana Mezynski, and Jackie Stahl participated in SHC's RITE (Realizing Improvement through Team Empowerment) Program and successfully reduced reimbursement rejections from 25 to 17%.
- Surgery
Non-Surgical Treatment for Pierre Robin Sequence with Dr. HyeRan Choo
In this episode of Scrubcast, host Rachel Baker interviews Dr. HyeRan Choo, a clinical associate professor in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Choo is doing innovative work treating Pierre Robin Sequence—a rare congenital condition—using a non-surgical method.
- Surgery
Kirane et al Receive MRA Team Science Award
A team including Dr. Amanda Kirane has been awarded the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) Team Science Award for their translational therapy-predictive organoid model.
- Stanford Health Library
StoryCorps at SHC: Carlie Arbaugh
Carlie Arbaugh (32) talks about her experience as a general surgery resident living with a rare diagnosis that has caused hearing impairment. Carlie shares how her personal experience undergoing has influenced the way she communicates with and cares for her patients.
- Surgery
SoM/GSE Fellowship Pilot Program
Dr. Jim Korndorffer created a fellowship program linking Stanford's School of Medicine with its Graduate School of Education in an effort to improve medical education (and, by extension, patient care.) The fellows are currently wrapping up the first-year pilot.
- Surgery
🌍 Spotlight: Martin Bronk
Dr. Martin Bronk recently visited UGHE in Rwanda for three weeks to teach senior medical students during their surgery clerkship.
- Surgery
Dr. Korndorffer Nominated to AOA
Dr. Jim Korndorffer has been nominated by the University of South Florida (USF) Marsani College of Medicine Gamma Florida Chapter for Membership into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Society in the Alumni category.
- Surgery
Match 2024 Results
The department welcomed its largest intern class ever with 14 new interns.
- Surgery
International Visiting Observer Program
Stanford Surgery’s International Visiting Observer Program is a unique opportunity for surgeons, surgical trainees, and surgical nurses to spend up to 30 days observing clinical practice side by side with surgical specialty teams that align with professional interests.