Outpatient Surgery Magazine

Pushing For Change - July 2020 - Subscribe to Outpatient Surgery Magazine

Outpatient Surgery Magazine, providing current information on Surgical Services, Surgical Facility Administration, Outpatient Surgery News and Trends, OR Excellence and more.

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4 0 • O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U L Y 2 0 2 0 When data uncovers a potential issue, don't fall into the trap of framing it as "good" or "bad." If you can analyze issues of race with an open mind, an honest discussion emerges around sub- conscious bias, implicit bias and stereotyping, things we're all guilty of on some level. We tend to default to these biases when we're in a high-pressure, stress-filled environment — the literal description of a fast-paced OR. To combat deep-rooted, system-based stereotypes, you have to do a deeper dive into what's lurking below the surface. Only after you analyze ways in which structural racism impacts health care can you correct actual or potential issues. Make sure your values regarding diversity and inclusion are known throughout your entire organization. You need to clear- ly articulate what behaviors won't be accepted and make sure everyone feels comfortable reporting race-related issues that may arise. Investing in diversity and working to remove biases and struc- turally racist systems, which might exist in your facility without you being aware, is beneficial on many levels. The research tells us that we solve problems better, get more out of employees and are able to excel on an organizational level when everyone feels valued and engaged. Leveraging individuals with different lived and learned experiences makes us better in everything we do. Joseph Betancourt, MD, MPH Vice President and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, Mass.

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